June 3, 2023
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Research Network

About the Research Network

The Adolescent and Young Adult Health Research Network (AYAH-RN) aims to create a national transdisciplinary research network devoted to accelerating the translation of developmental science into practice through:

  • Creating a national research agenda
  • Advancing the agenda through collaborative research projects
  • Disseminating research finds and other products

To create the national research agenda, the Network has published overarching recommendations and three review articles in the following areas:

These review articles were accompanied by an editorial in the Journal of Adolescent health. 

To learn more about the Network, read our Fact Sheet.

Read below to learn more about our core project areas:

LEVERAGING DEVELOPMENTAL SCIENCE

FEATURED WORK

Adolescent male on tablet learning

Led by Dr. Giovanelli, a new Network article, available open access, makes the case for using a developmental lens in technology-based efforts to improve adolescent health. Click here for more details.

Click here for a full list of developmental neuroscience resources.

The Network applies developmental science in its work to improve adolescent and young adult health identifying opportunities for intervention and prevention. Projects include:

  • A paper outlining the importance of a developmental framework in technology-based adolescent health interventions.

 

  • A project piloting an assessment tool for meaningful social roles among young teens.

 

  • A study examining how civic engagement in adolescence links to health status in young adulthood.

 

  • A review article examining how developmental neuroscience can improve early intervention.

 

Want more developmental science information? Check out the Center on the Developing Adolescent, and AYAH-RN partner.

IMPROVING PREVENTIVE SERVICES INTERVENTIONS

FEATURED WORK

Health app on smart watch

As part of a supplement on innovative digital health technology to improve adolescent and young adult care, Wong et al. discuss challenges to advancing care, including the disconnectedness between digital health tools and clinical care, threats to patient privacy and security, and identifying high-value digital health products for adolescents and young adults.”

Click here for a full list of clinical preventive service resources.

The Network aims to improve quality and effectiveness of clinical preventive services for adolescents and young adults. Projects include:

  • A multi-site project to increase parents’ utilization of parenting resources.

 

  • An article on extending clinician reach through technology, e.g., mobile applications and wearable devices.

 

  • A project focused on educating parents in helping prevent opioid abuse.

 

 

  • An interactive program to boost middle school students’ interest in biomedical, behavioral and clinical research.

 

INTEGRATING BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND PRIMARY CARE SERVICES

FEATURED WORK

In this article, Network partners review the current research literature for behavioral health integration in the adolescent and young adult population and make recommendation for needed research to move the field forward.

Click here for a full list of behavioral health resources.

The Network aims to advance research on models of care that integrate behavioral health care services in the primary care setting. Current projects and resources include:

  • A review article examining research on behavioral health integration, with research recommendations.

 

  • A clinic project to engage and support parents of youth with special health care needs.

EMERGING ISSUES

FEATURED WORK

The AYAH-RN continues to advance our project on care for transgender youth, a key emerging issue.

  • A study of an intervention focused on clinician training in screening and providing services for transgender youth.

 

  • A study aims to understand gender identity assessment and documentation and potential best practices and barriers across the clinical settings represented by the LEAH Projects.

 

Click here for a full list of emerging issue resources.

The Network remains responsive to advance research in emerging issues that are primarily outside of three priority foci. Projects include:

  • A study on education of healthcare providers and students about pediatric transgender care.

 

  • A project on studying and developing models of care for transgender youth.

 

  • A survey of adolescent technology use; sleep hygiene and related clinical screening.

 

  • A program for middle-school students to develop the biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research workforce.