Abstract
In the rapidly evolving world of teen and young adult slang, staying current with the latest terminology is crucial for healthcare professionals working with this demographic. For providers in psychiatric and mental health fields, an understanding of this evolving language can facilitate improved communication and foster trust, thereby enhancing clinical outcomes.
This study introduces a simulation model specifically designed for nurse practitioner students in a psychiatric mental health program, aiming to bridge the communication gap between providers and young clients. Grounded in a conceptual framework of cultural competence and communication theory, the simulation seeks to improve student understanding of adolescent linguistic nuances, promoting enhanced provider-patient rapport and empathy.
The simulation model was integrated into the Fall 2024 curriculum with an initial cohort of 24 nurse practitioner students in a psychiatric nurse practitioner program in a state funded university. Using interactive case scenarios, students navigated hypothetical encounters where understanding slang is critical to effective patient assessment and intervention. Results from this pilot simulation suggest that students who participate in these simulations report an increased ability to engage with adolescent patients, higher confidence in interpreting their unique expressions, and a greater awareness of underlying social issues such as identity, peer dynamics, and mental health concerns. Pre and post simulation surveys used included: knowledge assessment, confidence scale and awareness of social issues.
By decoding slang and learning its broader social and psychological implications, nurse practitioner students can better meet the mental and physical health needs of adolescent patients, establishing themselves as more approachable and trusted figures in their lives. This simulation model serves as a valuable addition to psychiatric nurse practitioner education, preparing future professionals for effective, culturally responsive care in a rapidly changing linguistic landscape.
Notes
References:
Birgisson, O., Hysing, M., Eriksen, H. R., Johannsson, E., & Gestsdottir, S. (2024). The relationship between online communication and adolescents’ mental health: Long-term evaluation between genders. Scandinavian journal of public health, 52(4), 486-493.
Dennen, V. P., Choi, H., & Word, K. (2020). Social media, teenagers, and the school context: a scoping review of research in education and related fields. Educational Technology Research and Development, 68(4), 1635-1658.
Fichman, P., & Amidu, G. (2024). The roles of collapsing contexts and TikTok’s features in reciprocal trolling. Information, Communication & Society, 1-21.
Niswa, K., Hastianah, H., Herman, H., Fatmawati, E., Saputra, N., & Mukmin, M. (2023). Understanding Meaning From Online Advertisement Through Semantics Analysis of Slang (SAOS): A Case on Semantics. Studies in Media and Communication, 11(5), 2-9.
Pires, F., Masanet, M. J., & Scolari, C. A. (2021). What are teens doing with YouTube? Practices, uses and metaphors of the most popular audio-visual platform. Information, communication & society, 24(9), 1175-1191.
Sigma Membership
Non-member
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Other
Keywords:
Simulation, Virtual Learning, DEI/BIPOC, Slang, Teen and Young Adult Vernacular, Adolescent Linguistic Nuances, Provider-Patient Relationship
Recommended Citation
Vandenberg, Kristen M., "Decoding Teen Slang: A Simulation Model for Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Education" (2025). Biennial Convention (CONV). 24.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/convention/2025/presentations_2025/24
Conference Name
48th Biennial Convention
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2025-11-18
Decoding Teen Slang: A Simulation Model for Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Education
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
In the rapidly evolving world of teen and young adult slang, staying current with the latest terminology is crucial for healthcare professionals working with this demographic. For providers in psychiatric and mental health fields, an understanding of this evolving language can facilitate improved communication and foster trust, thereby enhancing clinical outcomes.
This study introduces a simulation model specifically designed for nurse practitioner students in a psychiatric mental health program, aiming to bridge the communication gap between providers and young clients. Grounded in a conceptual framework of cultural competence and communication theory, the simulation seeks to improve student understanding of adolescent linguistic nuances, promoting enhanced provider-patient rapport and empathy.
The simulation model was integrated into the Fall 2024 curriculum with an initial cohort of 24 nurse practitioner students in a psychiatric nurse practitioner program in a state funded university. Using interactive case scenarios, students navigated hypothetical encounters where understanding slang is critical to effective patient assessment and intervention. Results from this pilot simulation suggest that students who participate in these simulations report an increased ability to engage with adolescent patients, higher confidence in interpreting their unique expressions, and a greater awareness of underlying social issues such as identity, peer dynamics, and mental health concerns. Pre and post simulation surveys used included: knowledge assessment, confidence scale and awareness of social issues.
By decoding slang and learning its broader social and psychological implications, nurse practitioner students can better meet the mental and physical health needs of adolescent patients, establishing themselves as more approachable and trusted figures in their lives. This simulation model serves as a valuable addition to psychiatric nurse practitioner education, preparing future professionals for effective, culturally responsive care in a rapidly changing linguistic landscape.
Description
By decoding slang and learning its broader social and psychological implications, nurse practitioner students can better meet the mental and physical health needs of adolescent patients, establishing themselves as more approachable and trusted figures in their lives. This simulation model serves as a valuable addition to psychiatric nurse practitioner education, preparing future professionals for effective, culturally responsive care in a rapidly changing linguistic landscape.