View in EDS PDF Full Text

Pathways to Leadership: How Meaningful Experiences Shape Motivation in 4-H Teen Leaders

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Pathways to Leadership: How Meaningful Experiences Shape Motivation in 4-H Teen Leaders
Language: English
Authors: Trang T. Ta, Steven Krauss
Source: Journal of Youth Development. 2025 20(4):23-38.
Availability: Clemson University Press. 116 Sigma Drive, Clemson, SC 29634. Tel: 864-656-2278; e-mail: cupress@clemson.edu; Web site: www.clemson.edu/press
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 16
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Young Adults, Youth Clubs, Leadership, Leadership Training, Adolescents, Motivation, Youth Programs, Skill Development, Self Determination, Role Models, Transformative Learning, Self Esteem, Personal Autonomy
ISSN: 2325-4009
2325-4017
Abstract: Youth leadership development is crucial for empowering young people to thrive and contribute to society. Research on 4-H has demonstrated significant leadership growth among program participants, with effects persisting into emerging adulthood. However, little is known about what specific experiences shape 4-H youth's motivation to lead. This qualitative study explores meaningful experiences--vividly remembered moments with positive and enduring effects--that nurture leadership motivation among 4-H teen leaders. Seven emerging adults aged 18-21 with extensive leadership experience in Missouri 4-H programs participated in semi-structured, in-depth interviews. Using a thematic analysis approach, we identified two categories of meaningful experiences, namely transformative moments and formative experiences. These experiences shaped leadership motivation in 4-H programs through four key mechanisms: inspiring vision, building confidence, fostering autonomy, and recognizing impact. This study uniquely introduces the manifestations of meaningful experiences through the recollections of 4-H youth, highlighting how seemingly small acts, as well as structured activities, can serve as catalysts for youth leadership development. Implications include the importance of creating relational spaces and opportunities that facilitate meaningful experiences by diversifying leadership opportunities, nurturing developmental relationships, and implementing and strengthening recognition platforms.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1490606
Database: ERIC
FullText Links:
  – Type: pdflink
    Url: https://content.ebscohost.com/cds/retrieve?content=AQICAHj0k_4E0hTGH8RJwT4gCJyBsGNe_WN95AvKlDbXJGqwxwHPmsaA-x_NF2AhMwjlsmbkAAAA4zCB4AYJKoZIhvcNAQcGoIHSMIHPAgEAMIHJBgkqhkiG9w0BBwEwHgYJYIZIAWUDBAEuMBEEDNNFQv9IuUEe-PUw0gIBEICBm9RXRLs85YiXXET67mV_O7ICcJIf_AjQmjfm6SrswYTElTF6wPsMIgbRxEe9urRw7HOnX7Mu1ddgTH4gun0aN1U0pQKo40krjaIGHtR9kaGCuw5ZlaRiZVid6CfFltzJwU_LpOZyLqjrovmCEzNjYVvnriVOKtJclCTYAxyEYidaT03VIFvN5eGt9f2yhLhaRbJGBeAWO5FChvo1
Text:
  Availability: 0
CustomLinks:
  – Url: https://eric.ed.gov/contentdelivery/servlet/ERICServlet?accno=EJ1490606
    Name: ERIC Full Text
    Category: fullText
    Text: Full Text from ERIC
Header DbId: eric
DbLabel: ERIC
An: EJ1490606
AccessLevel: 3
PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: Pathways to Leadership: How Meaningful Experiences Shape Motivation in 4-H Teen Leaders
– Name: Language
  Label: Language
  Group: Lang
  Data: English
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Trang+T%2E+Ta%22">Trang T. Ta</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Steven+Krauss%22">Steven Krauss</searchLink>
– Name: TitleSource
  Label: Source
  Group: Src
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Youth+Development%22"><i>Journal of Youth Development</i></searchLink>. 2025 20(4):23-38.
– Name: Avail
  Label: Availability
  Group: Avail
  Data: Clemson University Press. 116 Sigma Drive, Clemson, SC 29634. Tel: 864-656-2278; e-mail: cupress@clemson.edu; Web site: www.clemson.edu/press
– Name: PeerReviewed
  Label: Peer Reviewed
  Group: SrcInfo
  Data: Y
– Name: Pages
  Label: Page Count
  Group: Src
  Data: 16
– Name: DatePubCY
  Label: Publication Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2025
– Name: TypeDocument
  Label: Document Type
  Group: TypDoc
  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
– Name: Subject
  Label: Descriptors
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Young+Adults%22">Young Adults</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Youth+Clubs%22">Youth Clubs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Leadership%22">Leadership</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Leadership+Training%22">Leadership Training</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Adolescents%22">Adolescents</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Motivation%22">Motivation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Youth+Programs%22">Youth Programs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Skill+Development%22">Skill Development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Self+Determination%22">Self Determination</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Role+Models%22">Role Models</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Transformative+Learning%22">Transformative Learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Self+Esteem%22">Self Esteem</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Personal+Autonomy%22">Personal Autonomy</searchLink>
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
  Group: ISSN
  Data: 2325-4009<br />2325-4017
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Youth leadership development is crucial for empowering young people to thrive and contribute to society. Research on 4-H has demonstrated significant leadership growth among program participants, with effects persisting into emerging adulthood. However, little is known about what specific experiences shape 4-H youth's motivation to lead. This qualitative study explores meaningful experiences--vividly remembered moments with positive and enduring effects--that nurture leadership motivation among 4-H teen leaders. Seven emerging adults aged 18-21 with extensive leadership experience in Missouri 4-H programs participated in semi-structured, in-depth interviews. Using a thematic analysis approach, we identified two categories of meaningful experiences, namely transformative moments and formative experiences. These experiences shaped leadership motivation in 4-H programs through four key mechanisms: inspiring vision, building confidence, fostering autonomy, and recognizing impact. This study uniquely introduces the manifestations of meaningful experiences through the recollections of 4-H youth, highlighting how seemingly small acts, as well as structured activities, can serve as catalysts for youth leadership development. Implications include the importance of creating relational spaces and opportunities that facilitate meaningful experiences by diversifying leadership opportunities, nurturing developmental relationships, and implementing and strengthening recognition platforms.
– Name: AbstractInfo
  Label: Abstractor
  Group: Ab
  Data: As Provided
– Name: DateEntry
  Label: Entry Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2025
– Name: AN
  Label: Accession Number
  Group: ID
  Data: EJ1490606
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=eric&AN=EJ1490606
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 16
        StartPage: 23
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Young Adults
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Youth Clubs
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Leadership
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Leadership Training
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Adolescents
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Motivation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Youth Programs
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Skill Development
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Self Determination
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Role Models
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Transformative Learning
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Self Esteem
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Personal Autonomy
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Pathways to Leadership: How Meaningful Experiences Shape Motivation in 4-H Teen Leaders
        Type: main
  BibRelationships:
    HasContributorRelationships:
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Trang T. Ta
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Steven Krauss
    IsPartOfRelationships:
      – BibEntity:
          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 01
              Type: published
              Y: 2025
          Identifiers:
            – Type: issn-print
              Value: 2325-4009
            – Type: issn-electronic
              Value: 2325-4017
          Numbering:
            – Type: volume
              Value: 20
            – Type: issue
              Value: 4
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: Journal of Youth Development
              Type: main
ResultId 1