The University of Calgary announced today the results of an independent study offering hope to parents and teens struggling through difficult teenage years. The research found students involved in the Werklund Foundation’s Teen Leadership Breakthrough program had increased selfesteem, confidence, emotional intelligence, and social and communication skills and maintained these improvements for six months.
The good news about this research is that this program can promote more positive social behaviour in teens by improving their self-concept and interpersonal relationships. Studies show that kids with these skills go on to have greater success in school and in life.
“Evaluation research rarely demonstrates results of this nature,” said Dr. Anne McKeough, a professor in the Division of Applied Psychology who conducted the study for the University of Calgary. Although many youth leadership programs exist, there is little research that evaluates the outcomes, particularly in the longterm.
“Social skills training can produce significant immediate changes, but this program was proven to have significant long-term effects in participants, making the findings of this study rare. The study is doubly noteworthy for its findings and its empirical rigour, as most research on similar programs often relies on testimony and anecdotal observations,” McKeough added.
“We want to provide young people with tools that allow them to reach their highest potential, which is why we founded this initiative,” said Deanna Werklund, Director of Werklund Foundation, which funds the program in Calgary high schools as part of their E3 Leadership Training Initiative. “The positive results of this study will help us make the program available to even more teens.” The program was developed and facilitated by Rapport Leadership International.
BACKGROUNDER
Rapport Teen Leadership Program: An evaluation report
- Participants in the study were separated into two groups: the treatment group, who participated in the Rapport Teen Leadership Program, and the control group, who did not.
- Participants consisted of 77 students in grades 10 and 11 from a public charter school in a large urban centre in Western Canada.
- Participants demonstrated a greater understanding of the inner self. This includes a better understanding of their own feelings and the ability to confidently communication those feelings and ideas.
- Participants demonstrated a greater improvement in their social awareness and interpersonal understanding. These individuals are dependable, can work in a team, understand and relate well with others and have developed adequate social skills.
- Participants demonstrated a greater capacity to adapt to changes in their environment. Along with being sensible and practical they are capable of understanding and solving problems.
- Participants demonstrated a higher degree of emotionally intelligent behaviour. They feel good about themselves as well as others, are optimistic and positive and usually believe they are being successful in life.
- Participants demonstrated a greater capacity to attain goals and grow in competence. They function well within their environments, experience success in life and goal attainment, respond to struggles and difficulties and are effective problem-solvers.
- Participants demonstrated a greater capacity to understanding feelings and emotions. They are aware of, show insight of, and can monitor, assess, and communicate their behaviours, feelings and emotions.
- Youth programs are taught in an environment where teens and young adults overcome their fears by empowering them to be successful. Through a combination of intensive leadership courses and workshops, students: improve communication and teamwork; gain passion and enthusiasm; understand focus and accountability; enhance self-confidence and courage; identify core values and build character, and develop strengths through self awareness.
About the Werklund Foundation
The Werklund Foundation was founded by David Werklund in 2006 to fulfill Mr. Werklund’s lifelong commitment to support our communities. Specifically, the Werklund Foundation is committed to supporting initiatives that facilitate the development of selfesteem, self-worth and emotional intelligence.
Through their E3 Leadership Training Initiative, the Foundation brings world-class leadership training and support to high schools to enhance the learning environment, enable youth to discover their personal confidence, enthusiasm, passion, focus, and joy
of life.
Source: University of Calgary
