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

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.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Human & Community Development

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2014

Author dc:creator

• Griffith, Aisha

Contributors dc:contributor

• Larson, Reed W.
• Raffaelli, Marcela
• Jarrett, Robin L.
• Diaz, Lisa Bouillion

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

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2014 Aisha Griffith

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

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

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/49699