Document Type
Article
Keywords
Latino/Latina/Latinx or Hispanic; arts/ arts in health promotion; surveys; mental health; sexual health; child/adolescent health
Disciplines
American Material Culture | Digital Humanities | Interdisciplinary Arts and Media | Latina/o Studies | Other Mental and Social Health | Queer Studies | Social Work | Women's Studies
Abstract
Recognizing the potential of digital zines (defined as selfpublished,
online publications combining artwork and
text) as culturally tailored health communication tools,
this article examines the acceptability and impacts of two
digital zines about mental and sexual health created by
Latina young people for Latina teens as a health communication
strategy. We conducted an anonymous online
survey completed by Latina teens who read the zines (32
for sexual health and 33 for mental health). Data analysis
aimed to explore, summarize, and interpret the collected
data using an artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced
approach. Survey participants found the zine format and
content acceptable and engaging with the zines had several
positive impacts on Latina teens, influencing their
emotions, knowledge, and perspectives. The digital zines
resonated with Latina teens, providing accessible and
engaging content for exploring sexual and mental health
topics. This study resulted in valuable insights into the
use of AI-enhanced approaches to data analysis and the
potential effectiveness of digital zines as a health communication
strategy among Latina teens. However, further
validation through larger-scale studies with more robust
methodologies is needed. Our findings show that zines
can be leveraged as an effective health communication
tool among Latina teens, providing preliminary evidence
that can be used to support zine development and dissemination
initiatives within additional communities.
Publication Title
Health Promotion Practice
Volume
26
Issue
5
Article Number
1046
Publication Date
2025
First Page
926
Last Page
945
Extent
19
DOI of Published Version
10.1177/15248399241300570
Language
English
Peer Reviewed
1
Recommended Citation
Lilly, Jenn M.; Almanzar, D'Andrah; Pace, Susan R.; and Bryant, Dante D., "Digital Zines as Mental and Sexual Health Communication Tools for Latina Teens: Format and Content Acceptability and Initial Findings" (2025). Social Service Faculty Publications. 40.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/gss_facultypubs/40
Version
Published
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Funder
Fahs-Beck Fund for Research and Experimentation Faculty Grant Program, the Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service Faculty Research Development Fund, and the Fordham University Faculty Research Grant
Grant
Fahs-Beck Fund for Research and Experimentation Faculty Grant Program, the Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service Faculty Research Development Fund, and the Fordham University Faculty Research Grant
Included in
American Material Culture Commons, Digital Humanities Commons, Interdisciplinary Arts and Media Commons, Latina/o Studies Commons, Other Mental and Social Health Commons, Queer Studies Commons, Social Work Commons, Women's Studies Commons
