Proceedings of The Global Conference on Children and Youth
Year: 2021
DOI:
The Perception of Tweens (Ages 8-12) On The Impact of Their Leadership Experiences in House Church Ministries On Their Self-Concept Development
Christi Park Min
ABSTRACT:
This qualitative study is designed to explore how tweens’ (age 8-12) leadership practice influences their self-concept development as a mechanism of social adjustment. The purpose of the current study is articulated in the following three research questions: (a) What is the influence on self-concept development? (b) What environment/relational factors impact self-concept? (c) What is the influence of systematic support on tweens’ leadership experience in leadership over other children? There were a total of 30 children shepherds (n = 30; in-depth, face-to-face interviews), along with their 27 parents (n = 27; survey), five ministry staff (n = 5; unstructured interviews), and two volunteers (n = 2; unstructured interview) who participated in the research from five churches in Texas and California, which have adopted the House Church Ministry model and relevant children’s ministry model. The collected data was analyzed with the assistance of the Nvivo 12 software program and produced the seven emerging themes implicating that a tween child can thrive in their self-concept related to social, prosocial, proactivity development through displaying their leadership over other children with social-emotional and programmatically practical support. As this support system assists individuals in their tween period to mature in their self-concept, it may result in a form of development that could translate into deeper engagement with their community.
keywords: leadership, prosocial development, self-concept, social adjustment, tweens.