Language Learning, EarlyView.

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, youth across the globe took outstanding initiatives to support their communities. From distributing food and oxygen to raising funds via digital platforms, young people demonstrated their potential in times of crisis. This commentary explores how youth civic engagement surged during the pandemic, driven by digital activism, community-led initiatives, and institutional collaboration. The scoping review highlighted the importance of Positive Youth Development (PYD) in fostering leadership skills and social responsibility among youth, while also exposing challenges like the digital divide and the risk of armchair activism. Drawing from examples in India, where youth-led initiatives and government recognition played a crucial role, this commentary discusses how civic participation can be a force for positive change, provided it is adequately supported and inclusive of diverse backgrounds.

Journal of Family Theory &Review, EarlyView.

ABSTRACT

This response to a Commentary by Delgado-Ron, Jeyabalan, Watt, and Salway (2024) on Cimpian, Timmer, and Kim's (2023) paper discusses and clarifies some key issues in applying the new data-validity sensitivity analysis proposed by Cimpian et al. (2023). The differences in the applications of the method by Delgado-Ron et al. (2024) and Cimpian et al. (2023) present an opportunity to recognize the possibilities of this method, while also noting some challenges and limitations. This response-commentary focuses on five key areas: (1) surmising a set of likely motivations of the survey respondents, (2) selecting the screener items, (3) considering the outcomes examined, (4) reflecting on null results in a sensitivity analysis, and (5) recognizing the advantages and disadvantages of the ease of this new method.

ABSTRACT

Numerous scientific advances and discoveries have arisen from research on the hippocampal formation. This special issue provides first-person historical descriptions of these advances and discoveries in hippocampal research, written by those directly involved in the research. This is the first section of a special issue that will also include future articles on this topic. Here, we discuss some of the factors that motivated this special issue, and the major themes of hippocampal research that are addressed.

ABSTRACT

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) has become a major research trend in the fields of education and psychology. However, several risks posed by this technology concerning the cognitive and socio-emotional development of children and adolescents have been identified. While it would be highly useful to have a clear understanding of these potential negative effects, empirical results cannot be obtained without putting the participants of these studies in a situation that potentially endangers their development. Research fields such as the biomedical sciences utilize several measures to minimize risks, such as dose escalation and stopping rules. In addition, dynamic and flexible forms of informed consent could be adopted by our field to maximize transparency. By including methodological advancements and ethical developments in the psychological and educational research process, risks could be averted, and the ethical soundness of AI research involving children and adolescents could be maintained.

Abstract

This commentary provides a reflection on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescents in the context of family dynamics, school environments, peer relationships, and civic engagement. Drawing from four systematic literature reviews, the commentary highlights key findings, such as the long-term effects of COVID-19 on adolescent development, mental health, and academic well-being. The need for future research is emphasized to assess how these cohort effects will evolve over time. Cultural context and socioeconomic disparities emerge as crucial considerations, with the pandemic exacerbating existing inequalities, especially in access to education and digital resources. This commentary also underscores the importance of adopting a socio-ecological perspective to understand the multifaceted impact of COVID-19 on adolescents globally. In conclusion, it calls for targeted policies to support adolescents' mental health and academic recovery post-pandemic, particularly in underserved communities. Governments, educators, and civic organizations are encouraged to create inclusive policies that address these disparities while fostering resilience and well-being among young people. These reviews may also inform translational research that could aid in the development of evidence-based interventions and policies aimed at helping adolescents thrive in a post-pandemic world.