Date of Award

Summer 2026

Language

English

Embargo Period

8-6-2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

College/School/Department

School of Social Welfare

Program

Social Welfare

First Advisor

Eric Hardiman

Committee Members

Eric Hardiman, Sarah Mountz, Jordan Booker

Keywords

opportunity youth, Hope, Youth Participatory Action Research, Photovoice, Workforce Development, relational Support

Subject Categories

Social Justice | Social Work

Abstract

Opportunity youth—young people aged 16–24 who are disconnected from both school and employment—experience significant barriers to successful transitions into adulthood. Existing research has largely focused on deficits, risk factors, and outcomes associated with disconnection, often overlooking the strengths, resilience, and aspirations of these young people. Hope has been identified as a critical factor associated with educational achievement, psychological well-being and future orientation; however, little research has explored how opportunity youth experience hope in the context of systemic inequities. The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experience of hope among low-income opportunity youth and to examine the factors that contribute to both disconnection and reconnection during late adolescence and young adulthood.

This study is grounded in a qualitative arts-based research framework that seeks to explore how opportunity youth make meaning of hope within their lived experiences. Within this qualitative foundation, Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) serves as the ethical and philosophical framework guiding the study. YPAR positions young people as co-researchers rather than research subjects, emphasizing collaboration, shared decision-making, and the production of knowledge that reflects youths' lived realities. Consistent with these principles, participants actively generated knowledge through Photovoice and focus group discussions, using photography and dialogue to reflect upon and communicate their experiences of hope. Data generated through Photovoice and focus groups were analyzed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA).

Findings revealed two overarching superordinate themes: Deconstructing Disconnection and Reconstructing Hope. Participants described disconnection as a complex process shaped by poverty, family instability, mental health challenges, social isolation, educational exclusion, community disinvestment, and the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many youth reported feeling lost, unsupported, and disconnected from institutions intended to foster their development. Despite these challenges, participants demonstrated remarkable resilience and a persistent desire for meaningful futures. Reconstructing hope occurred through experiences of reconnection, including supportive relationships with family members, peers, mentors, and program staff. Participants emphasized the importance of belonging, safety, and community in cultivating hope. Hope was further strengthened through opportunities to envision positive futures, pursue educational and career pathways, engage in meaningful work, and develop a sense of personal agency. Photovoice narratives highlighted the significance of family, growth, perseverance, and collective support as central components of hopeful thinking.

The findings extend Snyder’s Hope Theory by demonstrating that hope among opportunity youth is not solely an individual cognitive process but also an ecological, relational, and socially situated phenomenon. A Collective Hope Framework emerged from integrative theory and study data, illustrating how structural conditions, supportive relationships, community belonging and opportunities for personal growth interact to foster pathways, agency, and future orientation.

The study challenges dominant deficit-based narratives surrounding opportunity youth by documenting their strengths, aspirations, and determination in the face of adversity. Implications include the need for holistic, trauma-informed, and relationship-centered interventions that address both individual development and structural barriers to foster hope and promote long-term positive outcomes among marginalized young people.

License

This work is licensed under the University at Albany Standard Author Agreement.

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