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Summer youth work programs for health promotion: A scoping review

Author

Listed:
  • Cepni, Aliye B.
  • Sloan, John
  • Nadeem, Saad
  • White III, James W.
  • Finnegan, Olivia
  • Beets, Michael
  • Armstrong, Bridget
  • Tabak, Rachel G.
  • Lea III, Charles H.
  • Weaver, R. Glenn

Abstract

Summer youth work programs, including paid employment and internships, are typically designed to promote youth employability. They also hold potential as obesity prevention strategies due to their structured nature. This scoping review provides a comprehensive overview of existing programs, focusing on their study characteristics, program components, and barriers and facilitators to participation. The goal is to evaluate these programs’ potential to prevent adolescent obesity. A systematic search of PubMed, ERIC (EBSCO), PsycInfo (EBSCO), and Web of Science identified 30 interventions reported across 34 articles. Most studies were quasi-experimental, primarily targeted “job readiness and career” as outcomes, and primarily included underserved youth. Thematic analysis revealed three top program components: training, mentoring, and application. In 13 studies, adolescents reported barriers and facilitators to program participation. “Professional skill development” and “hands-on learning” opportunities were frequently cited as facilitators, while “poor organization” and “limited transportation” emerged as common barriers to program participation. Notably, none of the studies conducted comprehensive feasibility assessments, including trial- and intervention-related feasibility indicators. Only two quasi-experimental studies targeted obesity-related outcomes, with promising findings in reducing obesogenic behaviors. Rigorous study designs and comprehensive feasibility assessments are needed to better understand the potential of these programs in addressing adolescent obesity.

Suggested Citation

  • Cepni, Aliye B. & Sloan, John & Nadeem, Saad & White III, James W. & Finnegan, Olivia & Beets, Michael & Armstrong, Bridget & Tabak, Rachel G. & Lea III, Charles H. & Weaver, R. Glenn, 2025. "Summer youth work programs for health promotion: A scoping review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:179:y:2025:i:c:s0190740925004700
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108587
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Amy Ellen Schwartz & Jacob Leos‐Urbel & Joel McMurry & Matthew Wiswall, 2021. "Making summer matter: The impact of youth employment on academic performance," Quantitative Economics, Econometric Society, vol. 12(2), pages 477-504, May.
    2. Jonathan M.V. Davis & Sara B. Heller, 2020. "Rethinking the Benefits of Youth Employment Programs: The Heterogeneous Effects of Summer Jobs," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 102(4), pages 664-677, October.
    3. Alexander Gelber & Adam Isen & Judd B. Kessler, 2016. "The Effects of Youth Employment: Evidence from New York City Lotteries," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 131(1), pages 423-460.
    4. Judd B. Kessler & Sarah Tahamont & Alexander Gelber & Adam Isen, 2022. "The Effects of Youth Employment on Crime: Evidence from New York City Lotteries," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 41(3), pages 710-730, June.
    5. Modestino, Alicia Sasser & Paulsen, Richard J., 2019. "Reducing inequality summer by summer: Lessons from an evaluation of the Boston Summer Youth Employment Program," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 40-53.
    6. Alicia Sasser Modestino & Richard Paulsen, 2023. "School's Out: How Summer Youth Employment Programs Impact Academic Outcomes," Education Finance and Policy, MIT Press, vol. 18(1), pages 97-126, Winter.
    7. Atwell, Meghan Salas & Jeon, Jeesoo & Cho, Youngmin & Coulton, Claudia & Lewis, Eric & Sorensen, Alena, 2023. "Using integrated data to examine the effects of summer youth employment program completion on educational and criminal justice system outcomes: Evidence from Cuyahoga County, Ohio," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    8. Julia Dennett & Alicia Sasser Modestino, 2013. "Uncertain futures?: youth attachment to the labor market in the United States and New England," New England Public Policy Center Research Report 13-3, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.
    9. Daniel Muir & Cristiana Orlando & Becci Newton, 2024. "Impact of summer programmes on the outcomes of disadvantaged or ‘at risk’ young people: A systematic review," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 20(2), June.
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