"Trying to be Everything Else": Examining the Challenges Experienced By Youth Development Workers

Background

Youth development research and practice have evolved significantly in the last forty years, as theoretical orientations shifted to reflect the focus on youth strengths and assets. Frameworks have progressed from the deficit-oriented theory of the 1980s, to positive youth development in the 1990s, and more recently to social justice youth development (SJYD). This progression of frameworks marks a shift from individual focused orientations to more holistic theories which account for youth identity, social and environmental contextual factors, and the development of critical consciousness and self-awareness. While research on youth development has evolved, research with an emphasis on those who work with youth in this context is strikingly limited. As such, this study used constructivist grounded theory strategies to capture the challenges experienced by youth development workers, and their perception and meaning making of their experiences. SJYD, Critical Race Theory and Symbolic Interactionism were used as sensitizing theoretical orientations.

Methods

Semi-structured, in-depth qualitative interviews aimed at obtaining rich description of the experiences of youth development workers were used to gain perceptions of challenges. The interview process sought to maintain consistency by using an interview guide but remained flexible enough to accommodate the iterative process of meaning making. Recruitment for this study was purposive and occurred in partnership with the local government-based youth worker training organization. Sources for data analysis included audio recordings, transcripts of interviews, field notes, reflexivity journaling, and memos to capture observed data, researchers’ thoughts, and notes concerning the study. There were 19 participants in this study. The sample represented youth workers employed by local nonprofits, nationally affiliated nonprofits, and programs sponsored through local government.

Results

Participants explained the complex and intertwining relationship between both internal and external challenges experienced by the youth development worker. The interviews grounded these challenges within the context in which participants worked. Their shared meaning across these topics informed the development of a context specific framework of three themes. The overlapping themes included (a) “trying to be everything else” (b) emotional response and (c) youth behavior, with a subtheme of (d) youth behavioral health having permeable boundaries with its larger category.

Discussion

The field of youth development often focuses on building more professional development opportunities however, results from this study show a need to address challenges youth workers experience within the bounds of the youth program and larger organization. Specifically, there is a need for organizations to support youth workers by clearly defining their role, identifying areas where additional capacity and support are needed, and supporting the emotional wellbeing of youth workers. Addressing these challenges require an examination and change in organizational policies and a redistribution of labor and resources in ways that support youth workers while they are doing direct service and even after the youth have left the program for the day. The SJYD framework’s focus on the sociopolitical context in which youth live should aid youth development organizations in understanding how that context impacts youth workers and the challenges they experience within the bounds of the program.