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The present investigation is part of the Social Networks and Agency Project (SNAP), an 18-month longitudinal mixed methods study following adolescents located in New South Wales, Australia. The SNAP study aims to understand how online and offline social networks impact the development of sexual agency over time. This paper presents an analysis of the second interview time point in the SNAP study. Fifty adolescents (aged 14–17) completed a semi-structured interview either face-to-face or via Skype about their romantic relationships, including where they get their sexual health information and how they flirt (both online and offline). Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using a grounded theory approach. The core theme was: Young people clearly demonstrate emerging sexual agency. The three characterizing themes were: (1) Young people have complex schemas about flirting, dating, and entering romantic and sexual relationships; (2) Young people have high literacy in social media, traditional media and pornography; and (3) Peers influence most aspects of developing sexual agency, including sex and relationship attitudes. We discuss possible methods to utilize adolescents' social networks in facilitating the development of sexual agency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Public involvement in health research and its translation is well recognized to improve health interventions. However, this approach is insufficiently practised and evidenced in relation to young people. This paper presents an analysis of the process of co‐producing a framework, partnership model and a growing network of young people informing and guiding an adolescent health research community of practice. Methods: A Living Lab is a participatory research approach that brings together a broad range of stakeholders in iterative cycles of research, design, development, pilot‐testing, evaluation and delivery to implement effective responses to complex phenomena. The geographical setting for this study was Sydney, NSW, Australia, and involved both youth and adult stakeholders from this region. The study spanned three phases between July 2018 and January 2021, and data collection included a range of workshops, a roundtable discussion and an online survey. Results: The co‐production process resulted in three key outputs: first, an engagement framework to guide youth participation in health research; second, a partnership model to sustain youth and adult stakeholder collaboration; third, the growth of the public involvement of young people with a range of projects and partners. Conclusions: This study investigated the process of co‐producing knowledge with young people in an adolescent health community of practice. A reflexive process supported youth and adult stakeholders to collaboratively investigate, design and pilot‐test approaches that embed young people's engagement in adolescent health research. Shared values and iterative methods for co‐production can assist in advancing mutual learning, commitment and trust in specific adolescent health research contexts. Public Contribution: Young people guiding and informing an adolescent health research community of practice were involved in this study, and one of the participants is a paper co‐author. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We sought to discover adolescents' thoughts about participation in longitudinal research and identify recruitment and retention strategies that were meaningful to them. We conducted seven focus groups with 10-15-year-olds in two large rural centers in New South Wales, Australia, and all focus groups were digitally recorded, transcribed, and analyzed. Adolescents discussed factors salient to their involvement in focus groups, as well as factors that may influence involvement in a longitudinal study. At the outset of the focus groups, adolescents had a positive view of 'research,' but were reluctant to engage in research that involved biologic samples. Effective recruitment of adolescents requires an appreciation of motivators, and time and resources to extend potential participants' understanding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study on the experience of fear, the fear response and factors influencing fear in adolescent girls undergoing school-based human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in Sydney, New South Wales. Results of the study indicated that fear-promotion factors included witnessing the fear reactions of peers, peers' perceived judgment, misinformation or lack of information and undergoing vaccination later in the day. The proactive management of fear and distress is recommended to improve school vaccination programs.

The article provides information on a study which examined the factors that were perceived to affect school-based human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program in Sydney, New South Wales. Background information on the delivery of vaccination strategies for young adolescent girls in New South Wales is offered. Data collection was done through structured focus groups with girls offered the vaccine, one-on-one interviews with parents, teachers and nurses and observations in schools during vaccination delivery. The categorization of the themes that emerged from the participants' experience is explained.