Engaging adolescents from disadvantaged neighbourhoods as knowledgeable social actors in health promotion

This thesis aims to: (a) to gain insights into the daily reality of adolescents with a low Socio-Economic Position (SEP) and their perspectives on health and health promotion, and (b) to improve health promotion practices and policy according to their daily reality, perspectives, and ideas by involving adolescents in a participatory action research as knowledgeable social actors in order to contribute to the improvement of the health and wellbeing of adolescents with a low SEP

This study is guided by the main research question: How can health promotion and health policy better align with the daily reality and perspectives of adolescents with a low SEP? This question is followed by four sub-questions:

1. What are the perspectives of adolescents with a low SEP on health and current health promotion initiatives and on how health promotion could be improved?
2. What are the perspectives of professionals on adolescents and health promotion for this specific group and on how health promotion could be improved?
3. What lessons can be learned regarding the facilitation of meaningful participation in health promotion (development) for adolescents with a low SEP?
4. How can Participatory action research contribute to enhance the healthy living of adolescents with a low SEP in a systems approach?