title: Youth perceptions and practices of leadership: The influence of structured leadership development programmes in a community context

authors: Hawthorne, Rachel

subjects: youth leadership

abstract: There has been much research focused on adult conceptions and experiences of leadership and its impact on both individuals and organisations. What has not been investigated as fully, is youth leadership and the contexts within which young people’s leadership experiences and emerging understandings are developed. Most opportunities for youth leadership are centred within educational contexts with traditional and hierarchical structures that limit access for all but an elite minority. This thesis presents findings from a research project involving a school-community partnership. It examines perceptions of leadership by youth participating in a 12 week experiential community leadership development programme, and the how involvement within this context influenced the leadership perceptions of nine participants involved in the study. 

Youth voice was integral as participants actively reflected on ideas of leadership through youth-centric research methodologies. Findings indicated that the youth who participated in this study perceived leadership as relational and transformational actions experienced on a personal level by someone they have an on-going relationship with; they felt there is inadequate acknowledgement of extra-curricular youth leadership experience and perceived inequity in access to leadership development opportunities for youth within school contexts; they desired experiential leadership development opportunities that were authentic, challenging and inclusive; and that participating in an experiential youth leadership development programme in a community context provided positive benefits for all participants.

This research is of significance to those working with youth in experiential leadership contexts, youth themselves, and those with an interest in leadership and youth development from a practitioner, or research perspective. Through representing a positive exemplar of a school-community partnership that broadens the context within which positive leadership development opportunities take place, it provides particular challenges to schools regarding the way that they perceive, acknowledge and grow leadership in youth. It will help to inform practitioners regarding effective practice when working with youth, and crucially, gives youth a voice as to the influence contextual experience has on their developing understandings.

text: Youth perceptions and practices of leadership: The influence of structured leadership development programmes in a community context There has been much research focused on adult conceptions and experiences of leadership and its impact on both individuals and organisations. What has not been investigated as fully, is youth leadership and the contexts within which young people’s leadership experiences and emerging understandings are developed. Most opportunities for youth leadership are centred within educational contexts with traditional and hierarchical structures that limit access for all but an elite minority. This thesis presents findings from a research project involving a school-community partnership. It examines perceptions of leadership by youth participating in a 12 week experiential community leadership development programme, and the how involvement within this context influenced the leadership perceptions of nine participants involved in the study. 

Youth voice was integral as participants actively reflected on ideas of leadership through youth-centric research methodologies. Findings indicated that the youth who participated in this study perceived leadership as relational and transformational actions experienced on a personal level by someone they have an on-going relationship with; they felt there is inadequate acknowledgement of extra-curricular youth leadership experience and perceived inequity in access to leadership development opportunities for youth within school contexts; they desired experiential leadership development opportunities that were authentic, challenging and inclusive; and that participating in an experiential youth leadership development programme in a community context provided positive benefits for all participants.

This research is of significance to those working with youth in experiential leadership contexts, youth themselves, and those with an interest in leadership and youth development from a practitioner, or research perspective. Through representing a positive exemplar of a school-community partnership that broadens the context within which positive leadership development opportunities take place, it provides particular challenges to schools regarding the way that they perceive, acknowledge and grow leadership in youth. It will help to inform practitioners regarding effective practice when working with youth, and crucially, gives youth a voice as to the influence contextual experience has on their developing understandings.

year: 2014

title: Get out of your mind and into your life: Using a self-help book to improve wellbeing in adolescents

authors: Lisle, Nicole

abstract: Mental health concerns such as depression and anxiety are becoming increasing prevalent in an adolescent population. In New Zealand, public mental health services have long waitlists to access support from a clinician and private clinicians are often costly. This creates a barrier for many adolescents to receive support, particularly those who are experiencing subclinical concerns. There is also some evidence to suggest that many people do not benefit from traditional therapy approaches. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an alternate to traditionally used treatment approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and uses techniques such as values, acceptance and mindfulness to help improve wellbeing. Using ACT in a self-help format helps to reduce barriers for adolescents to access support. 
The overall purpose of this study was to address the question “Does the self-help book Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life for Teens improve wellbeing in adolescents?”. In particular, the research sought to find out i) if the book was effective in improving well-being in adolescents, ii) if there were any gender differences in outcomes and iii) understanding if adolescents found the book useful by evaluating if it was easy to work through and relevant to them. Participants were between the ages of 16 and 18 years (N=16, average age= 16.6), with nine females and six males. A total of 14 participants completed the intervention. The study was conducted using a multiple baseline design. Participants completed a battery of questionnaires which focused on wellbeing and ACT techniques at 4 time points (before the baseline period, after a two week wait before they began the intervention, on completion of the intervention and at a two month follow up), specific areas assessed by the questionnaires were depression, anxiety, strengths and difficulties, thought control, acceptance and mindfulness. During the intervention period, participants worked through the book and engaged in weekly meetings. Participants also filled out a number of questionnaires specific to wellbeing and ACT at four time points. When the group data as well as individual change scores were analysed, statistically significant improvements were found for depression, thought control and acceptance. There were no gender differences in response to the intervention. The majority of participants felt that the intervention was relevant and useful. They also reported that they were able to use some of the skills from the intervention in their everyday lives. These findings indicate that this intervention was effective for improving general wellbeing with adolescents who are experiencing sub-clinical levels of distress. Furthermore, it demonstrates that adolescents were able to learn ACT based techniques from the self-help book and that they found the book useful and relevant. In conclusion, this study has shown that ACT based self-help interventions may be used as an alternative and cost-effective method of offering support to adolescents. It also shows that adolescents will engage in this type of intervention and can use the techniques they learn in their everyday lives. This information will hopefully be of use to professionals who work with adolescents who are experiencing mental health concerns.

text: Get out of your mind and into your life: Using a self-help book to improve wellbeing in adolescents Mental health concerns such as depression and anxiety are becoming increasing prevalent in an adolescent population. In New Zealand, public mental health services have long waitlists to access support from a clinician and private clinicians are often costly. This creates a barrier for many adolescents to receive support, particularly those who are experiencing subclinical concerns. There is also some evidence to suggest that many people do not benefit from traditional therapy approaches. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an alternate to traditionally used treatment approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and uses techniques such as values, acceptance and mindfulness to help improve wellbeing. Using ACT in a self-help format helps to reduce barriers for adolescents to access support. 
The overall purpose of this study was to address the question “Does the self-help book Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life for Teens improve wellbeing in adolescents?”. In particular, the research sought to find out i) if the book was effective in improving well-being in adolescents, ii) if there were any gender differences in outcomes and iii) understanding if adolescents found the book useful by evaluating if it was easy to work through and relevant to them. Participants were between the ages of 16 and 18 years (N=16, average age= 16.6), with nine females and six males. A total of 14 participants completed the intervention. The study was conducted using a multiple baseline design. Participants completed a battery of questionnaires which focused on wellbeing and ACT techniques at 4 time points (before the baseline period, after a two week wait before they began the intervention, on completion of the intervention and at a two month follow up), specific areas assessed by the questionnaires were depression, anxiety, strengths and difficulties, thought control, acceptance and mindfulness. During the intervention period, participants worked through the book and engaged in weekly meetings. Participants also filled out a number of questionnaires specific to wellbeing and ACT at four time points. When the group data as well as individual change scores were analysed, statistically significant improvements were found for depression, thought control and acceptance. There were no gender differences in response to the intervention. The majority of participants felt that the intervention was relevant and useful. They also reported that they were able to use some of the skills from the intervention in their everyday lives. These findings indicate that this intervention was effective for improving general wellbeing with adolescents who are experiencing sub-clinical levels of distress. Furthermore, it demonstrates that adolescents were able to learn ACT based techniques from the self-help book and that they found the book useful and relevant. In conclusion, this study has shown that ACT based self-help interventions may be used as an alternative and cost-effective method of offering support to adolescents. It also shows that adolescents will engage in this type of intervention and can use the techniques they learn in their everyday lives. This information will hopefully be of use to professionals who work with adolescents who are experiencing mental health concerns.

year: 2019

title: ‘Revolting murder at Te Aroha’ in 1881

authors: Hart, Philip

abstract: The brutal murder of Hamiona Haira, who had been mining with his two brothers and his father-in-law, shocked the new settlement. Being a member of Ngati Koi and Ngati Hako, these hapu threatened utu on the Pakeha responsible, causing both Maori and Pakeha miners to abandon their claims at Tui. Suspicion immediately fell on John Procoffy, a Finn, and evidence was quickly collected, officials being anxious to obtain a speedy conviction to avoid an innocent Pakeha being killed in revenge. Rangatira agreed to let the courts deal with the case, although some Pakeha criticized the government for being too anxious to appease Maori.
After a coroner’s inquest, which included Maori as members of the jury, returned a verdict of murder by ‘person or persons unknown’, Procoffy faced two trials. As the prosecution was handicapped by the limitations of contemporary forensic skills, its case was largely circumstantial. Although the police were certain they had their murderer, others were not convinced, and there was a reluctance to convict because of the death penalty. The final outcome was a verdict of not guilty, which, as was pointed out, should have been ‘not proven’. 
Procoffy fled the country. His acquittal was accepted by Maori leaders, and calm returned to Te Aroha.

text: ‘Revolting murder at Te Aroha’ in 1881 The brutal murder of Hamiona Haira, who had been mining with his two brothers and his father-in-law, shocked the new settlement. Being a member of Ngati Koi and Ngati Hako, these hapu threatened utu on the Pakeha responsible, causing both Maori and Pakeha miners to abandon their claims at Tui. Suspicion immediately fell on John Procoffy, a Finn, and evidence was quickly collected, officials being anxious to obtain a speedy conviction to avoid an innocent Pakeha being killed in revenge. Rangatira agreed to let the courts deal with the case, although some Pakeha criticized the government for being too anxious to appease Maori.
After a coroner’s inquest, which included Maori as members of the jury, returned a verdict of murder by ‘person or persons unknown’, Procoffy faced two trials. As the prosecution was handicapped by the limitations of contemporary forensic skills, its case was largely circumstantial. Although the police were certain they had their murderer, others were not convinced, and there was a reluctance to convict because of the death penalty. The final outcome was a verdict of not guilty, which, as was pointed out, should have been ‘not proven’. 
Procoffy fled the country. His acquittal was accepted by Maori leaders, and calm returned to Te Aroha.

year: 2016