The formation of adolescents' trust in adult leaders at project-based youth programs

Griffith, Aisha

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/49699 Copy

Description

Title

The formation of adolescents' trust in adult leaders at project-based youth programs

Author(s)

Griffith, Aisha

Issue Date

2014-05-30T17:05:25Z

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Larson, Reed W.

Doctoral Committee Chair(s)

Larson, Reed W.

Committee Member(s)

• Raffaelli, Marcela
• Jarrett, Robin L.
• Diaz, Lisa Bouillion

Department of Study

Human & Community Development

Discipline

Human & Community Development

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Degree Level

Dissertation

Keyword(s)

• trust
• youth programs
• mentoring relationships
• youth development
• after-school programs
• Adolescence

Abstract

Adolescents in American society tend to have few strong, trusting relationships with non-familial adults. However, adolescents that do develop positive relationships with non-familial adults are at an advantage because such relationships contribute to their positive development and resilience in times of adversity (Luthar & Brown, 2007; Werner & Smith, 2001). Fortunately, youth programs appear to be fertile contexts for the formation of trusting youth-adult leader (Y-AL) relationships. The word “trust” appears throughout literature on youth programs, particularly in regards to relationships with adult leaders. However, very few studies have explored the process youth undergo when forming trust in an adult leader. This qualitative study used interview data to generate a model that illustrates how trust forms from the perspectives of youth and adult leaders. The study identified mechanisms that lead to the formation of trust like three catalysts: moments of connection, investments in youth’s work, and observations of the adult leader’s trustworthiness. The study also described the multidimensional trust-building that adult leaders in the sample employed. These findings have implications for programs serving adolescents.

Graduation Semester

2014-05

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/49699

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2014 Aisha Griffith

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