Student Leadership in Times of Social Transformation

Keywords: leadership qualities of personality, university, tolerance for uncertainty, psychological safety, educational environment, self-actualization, optimism

Abstract

The aim was a theoretical-empirical study of the phenomenon of student leadership in the context of educational and professional activities during times of social transformation. The respondents were student leaders from the first to the fourth years of study at higher education institutions in Ukraine, with a total of n = 43 individuals. The age range of the sample population was between 18 and 25 years. The sample characteristics: M = 20.34; SD = ±4.28; Me = 20.50; Mo = 20.00. Methods. A relevant psychodiagnostic toolkit was selected in accordance with the developed methodology and research strategy. The following instruments were used: “Sociometry” (Moreno, 1951); “Life Orientation Test” (LOT) (Carver & Gaines, 1987); “Self-Efficacy Scale” (SES) (Sherer et al., 1982); and “Tolerance for Uncertainty Scale” (TUS) (Mclain, 1993). Results and discussion. The relationship between the self-efficacy parameters of the respondents and their life orientations and tolerance for uncertainty was identified (p < .050; p < .010). It is noted that student leaders who had high self-efficacy in subject activities enjoyed high credibility, but were silent and restrained in communicating with peers. Student leaders who had high self-efficacy in interpersonal communication had average achievements in their educational and professional activities, were respected and had no less influence on their peers. A comparison of the studied groups with low and high levels of self-efficacy showed that Group 2 (a high level of self-efficacy in subject activities) had superiority in attitude to complex tasks (ACT) and tolerance for uncertainty (TU). It is explained that the willingness to demonstrate a clear position in the changing realities of today was a prerogative of strong personalities. The superiority of the group with high self-efficacy in interpersonal communication (Group 4) was noted in terms of positive expectations, while the group with low self-efficacy in interpersonal communication (Group 3) showed the only significant superiority in negative expectations. Conclusions. It is summarized that the developed empirical research strategy for the phenomenon of student leadership allowed for the identification of relevant dimensions of leadership intentions among the most active segment of society, which are congruent in contemporary realities within the context of self-efficacy in educational and professional activities during times of social transformation. The obtained results have scientific novelty and can be implemented in the organization of the educational process of universities with the aim of preparing future leaders.

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Published
2024-10-29
Pages
311-336
How to Cite
Bokhonkova Y., Kruglov K., Buhaiova N., & Kryzhanovskyi O. (2024). Student Leadership in Times of Social Transformation. Insight: The Psychological Dimensions of Society, (12), 311-336. https://doi.org/10.32999/2663-970X/2024-12-15
Section
PEDAGOGICAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY