Table 1.

Mechanisms of transformation through YPAR commitments.

YPAR commitment	Mechanism of transformation*	Assessing integrity
Content. The YPAR team agrees to the interrogation of real-life, relevant issues identified by youth, at least in part through the lens of the structural factors that promote or inhibit community thriving.	Engagement in content that is culturally and contextually relevant (Ladson-Billings, 1995; Paris, 2012) Critical consciousness development (Freire, 1973; Seider and Graves, 2020) Motivational processes– competence, autonomy, relatedness (Roeser et al., 2000; Eccles and Wigfield, 2002)	Review of research questions for relevance to students’ lives and opportunities to interrogate power and/or structural inequity Observing the process through which students arrive at their topic of inquiry Engaging youth in conversation (e.g., focus groups, interviews, photovoice, video reflection)
Process. The YPAR team agrees to deep and democratic participation in which youth expertise is essential and those most impacted by the research are centered in its design.	Reciprocal engagement (Li and Julian, 2012; Osher et al., 2018) Shifting the balance of power toward young people (Sameroff, 2010; Li and Julian, 2012; Osher et al., 2018) Motivational processes – competence, autonomy, relatedness (Roeser et al., 2000; Eccles and Wigfield, 2002) Experiences of Competence and Confidence (Lerner and Lerner, 2013)	Reviewing documentation of participatory processes Observing the YPAR team Engaging youth in conversation (e.g., focus groups, interviews, photovoice, video reflection)
Purpose. The YPAR team agrees to engaging in collective action toward a more socially just community/world.	Deeper learning (Mehta and Fine, 2019) Critical consciousness development (Freire, 1973; Seider and Graves, 2020) Opportunities to display Character, Caring, and Contribution (Lerner and Lerner, 2013) Motivational processes – competence, autonomy, relatedness (Roeser et al., 2000; Eccles and Wigfield, 2002)	Reviewing documentation/ materials created for action Observing the YPAR team carry out their action projects Engaging youth in conversation (e.g., focus groups, interviews, photovoice, video reflection)
Core. The YPAR team agrees to authentic and trusted relationships amongst co-researchers, especially between youth and adult partners.	Caring, authentic, and reciprocal relationships (Valenzuela, 1999; Li and Julian, 2012; Osher et al., 2018)Sense of Connection (Lerner and Lerner, 2013)	Relationship surveys and self-reports Observing the YPAR teamEngaging youth in conversation (e.g., focus groups, interviews, photovoice, video reflection)

^*Transformation takes place at both the setting and individual-level.