abstract: 'Globally, young people are a major demographic group and a key

  constituency in socioeconomic policy considerations. However, in a

  neoliberal era, the social inclusion of youth is in jeopardy. This

  qualitative study explored young people''s connectedness to community and

  opportunities for social inclusion in Newfoundland and Labrador. The

  perspectives of social capital, social exclusion, and sense of community

  provided a theoretical framework for the study. A purposive sample of 23

  youth aged 15 to 24 years provided data through interviews, which we

  analyzed inductively, using thematic analysis. We found that young

  people connected to their communities through informal associations and

  non-profit organizations. These structures provided networks of

  supportive relationships and inclusive spaces, where young people felt a

  sense of belonging, and had opportunities for participation.

  Opportunities took the form of resources and activities that promoted

  personal growth and community building. For example, through

  associations and non-profit organizations, participants engaged in

  general educational development, entrepreneurial training, part-time and

  volunteer work, and advocacy. However, participants also reported some

  barriers to inclusion in their communities. Personal level factors, such

  as illness and environmental level factors, such as low-income and

  social stigma were barriers to inclusion. These findings provide a basis

  for policymakers and practitioners to promote youth social inclusion in

  Newfoundland and Labrador.'
affiliation: 'Issahaku, PA (Corresponding Author), Mem Univ Newfoundland, Sch Social
  Work, 230 Prince Philip Dr, St John, NF A1C 5S7, Canada.

  Issahaku, Paul Alhassan, Mem Univ Newfoundland, Sch Social Work, 230 Prince Philip
  Dr, St John, NF A1C 5S7, Canada.

  Adam, Anda, Govt Newfoundland \& Labrador, St John, NF, Canada.'
article-number: '21582440221113845'
author: Issahaku, Paul Alhassan and Adam, Anda
author-email: pissahaku@yahoo.com
author_list:
- family: Issahaku
  given: Paul Alhassan
- family: Adam
  given: Anda
da: '2023-09-28'
doi: 10.1177/21582440221113845
files: []
issn: 2158-2440
journal: SAGE OPEN
keywords: 'young people; community connectedness; social inclusion; social

  exclusion forces; Newfoundland and Labrador'
keywords-plus: 'RISKY SEXUAL-BEHAVIOR; ANTISOCIAL-BEHAVIOR; YOUTH DEVELOPMENT; DRUG-USE;

  CIVIC ENGAGEMENT; SENSE; PARTICIPATION; EDUCATION; HEALTH; CITIZENSHIP'
language: English
month: JUL
number: '3'
number-of-cited-references: '141'
papis_id: 175fe7b1b82aaddc2ed11142984e3e3a
ref: Issahaku2022youngpeople
times-cited: '0'
title: 'Young People in Newfoundland and Labrador: Community Connectedness and Opportunities
  for Social Inclusion'
type: Article
unique-id: WOS:000834837000001
usage-count-last-180-days: '0'
usage-count-since-2013: '5'
volume: '12'
web-of-science-categories: Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary
year: '2022'