Exploring and identifying youth and adult partnerships, the lived experiences and the knowledge and practices of youth development by youth and adult leaders within the American Hereford Association

Abstract

Positive youth development (PYD) is a concept that is based around finding the strengths of adolescents driving from the developmental systems theory (PYD) (Lerner et al., 2005a). Youth and adult partnerships are an important part of a youth’s environment and can influence their development (Zeldin et al., 2008). To better understand the perceptions and interaction of the development of young people this study utilized Jones (2004) Involvement and Interaction Rating scale which analyzes youth and adult interactions while working together in community-based programs. Allport’s (1954), Intergroup Contact Theory was used as a theoretical framework which argues that by bringing people together in group settings, prejudices and biases will be reduced, specifically those that have less power, privilege, and status. In the context of this study, prejudice refers to stereotypes such as age, gender, attitudes, personalities, perceptions, and preferences towards an individual. In addition to Intergroup Contact Theory this study also utilized the Relational Leadership Theory. Relational Leadership Theory is the study of the dynamics of relationships and the social interactions that occur within an organization or a group and sees leadership as the process in which roles and relationships change within an organization (Uhl-Bien, 2006). There is limited research that exists on PYD in a trade industry; this study focused on youth and adult interactions within the American Hereford Association (AHA) and how these interactions impact the development of young people. The design of this study is a mixed methods study, specifically an explanatory sequential design (Toyon, 2021). Mixed methods approach to research combines both qualitative and quantitative data collection into one study (Molina-Azorin, 2012). The results of this study indicated that participants were overall positive in their interactions with each other, specifically youth and adult interactions. As this research has implications for youth and adult relationships and those that work with young people, several recommendations emerged such that adults should continue to interact positively with the youth leaders of the organization. It is recommended that a training occur so that all people involved in the AHA understand positive youth development concepts when working with youth. Future research is needed to determine if perceptions and thoughts change after the implementation of a training as this research was limited to only those in leadership positions in the year 2019-2023. Research to gauge youth and adults’ understanding of positive youth development and concepts after a PYD training would help determine the impact of the training and their knowledge of PYD.