“…Seeing Them…”: Youth Worker Perspectives on Building Relationships with Older Adolescents and Emerging Adults in a U.S. City

Abstract

Less is known of youth workers’ views on their development of relationships with older adolescents and emerging adults in the U.S. This qualitative study examined youth worker perspectives on strategies used to develop relationships with older adolescents and emerging adults. Twelve youth workers and one key stakeholder participated. Youth workers based relationships on positive affirmation and trust. Youth workers developed relationships through non-verbal and verbal communication. They created space for relationships to grow and change. Study findings may be useful as a flexible guide for youth workers to approach building relationships with older adolescents or emerging adults in the U.S.