Bibliometric Overview of Youth Empowerment in Social Science Research
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
This study presents a bibliometric overview of youth empowerment research within the social sciences, employing VOSviewer to analyze patterns of authorship, international collaboration, and thematic evolution from 2000 to 2024. A dataset retrieved from Scopus formed the basis for co-authorship, keyword co-occurrence, and temporal trend mapping. The analysis reveals Zimmerman M.A. as a central figure in the research network and the United States as the most prolific contributor, with notable partnerships involving countries such as Australia, South Africa, and Kenya. Thematically, the field has transitioned from early emphases on health education and risk prevention toward more contemporary focuses on mental health, leadership, and social justice. Keyword clustering illustrates the interdisciplinary nature of the field, integrating psychological, educational, health, and civic engagement frameworks. Temporal visualizations show a shift in conceptual priorities over time, while density mapping indicates core and peripheral research areas. The study highlights the importance of context-sensitive, inclusive, and forward-looking approaches to youth empowerment and identifies gaps for future investigation, particularly in areas such as digital inclusion and economic agency.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
References
L. B. Jennings, D. M. Parra-Medina, D. K. Hilfinger-Messias, and K. McLoughlin, “Toward a critical social theory of youth empowerment,” J. Community Pract., vol. 14, no. 1–2, pp. 31–55, 2006.
M. H. Morton and P. Montgomery, “Youth empowerment programs for improving adolescents’ self-efficacy and self-esteem: A systematic review,” Res. Soc. Work Pract., vol. 23, no. 1, pp. 22–33, 2013.
J. Claus and C. Ogden, Service learning for youth empowerment and social change, vol. 5. Peter Lang, 1999.
X. Úcar Martínez, M. Jiménez-Morales, P. Soler Masó, and J. Trilla Bernet, “Exploring the conceptualization and research of empowerment in the field of youth,” Int. J. Adolesc. Youth, vol. 22, no. 4, pp. 405–418, 2017.
M. Morton and P. Montgomery, “Youth empowerment programs for improving self‐efficacy and self‐esteem of adolescents,” Campbell Syst. Rev., vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 1–80, 2011.
M. A. Wagaman, “Social empathy as a framework for adolescent empowerment,” J. Soc. Serv. Res., vol. 37, no. 3, pp. 278–293, 2011.
S. Tolbert, N. Snook, C. Knox, and I. Udoinwang, “Promoting youth empowerment and social change in/through school science,” J. Act. Sci. Technol. Educ., vol. 7, no. 1, 2016.
C. M. Yowell and E. W. Gordon, “Youth empowerment and human service institutions,” J. Negro Educ., pp. 19–29, 1996.
S. Torres-Harding, A. Baber, J. Hilvers, N. Hobbs, and M. Maly, “Children as agents of social and community change: Enhancing youth empowerment through participation in a school-based social activism project,” Educ. Citizsh. Soc. Justice, vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 3–18, 2018.
N. Donthu, S. Kumar, D. Mukherjee, N. Pandey, and W. M. Lim, “How to conduct a bibliometric analysis: An overview and guidelines,” J. Bus. Res., vol. 133, pp. 285–296, 2021.
R. D. Stanton-Salazar, “A social capital framework for the study of institutional agents and their role in the empowerment of low-status students and youth,” Youth Soc., vol. 43, no. 3, pp. 1066–1109, 2011.
K. I. Maton, “Empowering community settings: Agents of individual development, community betterment, and positive social change,” Am. J. Community Psychol., vol. 41, pp. 4–21, 2008.
C. Campbell and C. MacPhail, “Peer education, gender and the development of critical consciousness: participatory HIV prevention by South African youth,” Soc. Sci. Med., vol. 55, no. 2, pp. 331–345, 2002.
G. A. King et al., “Measuring children’s participation in recreation and leisure activities: construct validation of the CAPE and PAC,” Child. Care. Health Dev., vol. 33, no. 1, pp. 28–39, 2007.
L. Kirmayer, C. Simpson, and M. Cargo, “Healing traditions: Culture, community and mental health promotion with Canadian Aboriginal peoples,” Australas. Psychiatry, vol. 11, no. sup1, pp. S15–S23, 2003.
N. T. Wong, M. A. Zimmerman, and E. A. Parker, “A typology of youth participation and empowerment for child and adolescent health promotion,” Am. J. Community Psychol., vol. 46, pp. 100–114, 2010.
S. T. Russell, A. Muraco, A. Subramaniam, and C. Laub, “Youth empowerment and high school gay-straight alliances,” J. Youth Adolesc., vol. 38, pp. 891–903, 2009.
P. Foster-Fishman, B. Nowell, Z. Deacon, M. A. Nievar, and P. McCann, “Using methods that matter: The impact of reflection, dialogue, and voice,” Am. J. Community Psychol., vol. 36, pp. 275–291, 2005.
N. Eliasoph, “Making volunteers: Civic life after welfare’s end,” in Making volunteers, Princeton University Press, 2011.
N. Wilson, S. Dasho, A. C. Martin, N. Wallerstein, C. C. Wang, and M. Minkler, “Engaging young adolescents in social action through photovoice: The youth empowerment strategies (YES!) project,” J. Early Adolesc., vol. 27, no. 2, pp. 241–261, 2007.
B. J. Zimmerman, “Self-efficacy: An essential motive to learn,” Contemp. Educ. Psychol., vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 82–91, 2000.
F. Irannejad Bisafar, L. I. Martinez, and A. G. Parker, “Social computing-driven activism in youth empowerment organizations: Challenges and opportunities,” in Proceedings of the 2018 CHI conference on human factors in computing systems, 2018, pp. 1–13.
E. Chang, S. Sjöberg, P. Turunen, and K. Rambaree, “Youth empowerment for sustainable development: Exploring ecosocial work discourses,” Sustainability, vol. 14, no. 6, p. 3426, 2022.
M. M. Pearrow and S. Pollack, “Youth empowerment in oppressive systems: Opportunities for school consultants,” J. Educ. Psychol. Consult., vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 45–60, 2009.
R. K. Valaitis, “Computers and the internet: tools for youth empowerment,” J. Med. Internet Res., vol. 7, no. 5, p. e433, 2005.
M. M. Pearrow, “A critical examination of an urban-based youth empowerment strategy: The teen empowerment program,” J. Community Pract., vol. 16, no. 4, pp. 509–525, 2008.
S. C. Elaine, M. J. Holosko, and T. W. LO, Youth empowerment and volunteerism: Principles, policies and practices. City University of HK Press, 2008.
D. E. M. Kronenberg, “Towards an empowerment approach,” Youth Theatr. J., vol. 21, no. 1, pp. 129–137, 2007.