Date of Award

1952

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

First Advisor

William Hertzog Thompson

Second Advisor

L. Garlough

Third Advisor

Al Hummel

Abstract

Leaders in the Young Men’s Christian Association have boon concerned for some time about the decline of activity and comparative lack of participation on the part of young adults in its program. The concern is understandable in view of the fact that the Y.M.C.A. originally started around a nucleus of young adults - young men engaged in the drapery trades in London. The "Y" has emerged through the years as a leader in the field of boys’ work, and work with older adults, and has lost its original character of working among young adults.

A Commission was appointed by the Association of Secretaries’ Adult Program Section to study the problems affecting work with young adults. Its findings were reported at a conference of Adult Program Secretaries, and later published in a publication entitled "At Work With Young Adults". (1) Following this, it was decided that further exploration of the problems of working with young adults was needed.

A Committee, made up of a cross-section of the Adult Program Secretaryship, was called together in St. Louis on two occasions. This group outlined a plan which offered two next steps for study: first, "Blocks to Effective Program Within the Secretary Himself", and, second, "Blocks to Effective Program Within the Movement". Commissions were appointed to follow through on these studies.

The original purpose of this study was to determine if there are ’'blocks" to effective adult program within the Adult Program Secretary himself. It was felt that perhaps there are basic motivational factors, personality traits, and other psychological characteristics that might be an obstacle to a man as he attempts to do a quality adult program job. The overall problem posed by the Commission then was: "Is there a relationship between the job performance of an Adult Program Secretary and his psychological makeup?"

Due to the limitations of time and expense, it was decided to limit this particular study of psychological factors within the Secretary to a study of personality. This study, therefore, represents a start in the direction of studying the psychological makeup of Y.M.C.A. Adult Program Secretaries.

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