Do surveyed dietetics students feel they have leadership qualities?

Arendt, S. W., & Gregoire, M. B. (2005). Dietetics students perceive themselves as     leaders and report they demonstrate leadership in a variety of      contexts. Journal of the American Dietetic Association105(8), 1289-1294.

Do surveyed dietetics students feel they have leadership qualities
It should come as no surprise that leadership is an essential part in providing exceptional health care, which includes the field of dietetics. In recent years, the American Dietetic Association held its first Leadership meeting to develop future leaders in the field. Currently, the main way to assess student leadership behaviors and actions is through a valid and reliable tool known as the Student-Leadership Practices Inventory. This Inventory includes five practices: 1. Challenging the Process 2. Inspiring a Shared Vision 3. Enabling Others to Act 4. Modeling the Way & 5. Encouraging the Heart. Leadership behaviors can only be observed or experienced by others (followers). According to this article that I have read, little research has been conducted in the area of assessing leadership behaviors and actions among dietetics students. A study was conducted in order to identify self-reported leadership behaviors of dietetics students, determine how dietetics students perceive themselves as leaders, and examine whether leadership practices differ based on demographics.

Respondents of the study were primarily female seniors attending university. The mean score for Enabling was the highest and is also considered the most important leadership practice. The lowest mean score was in the area of Challenging. Classification status (freshman-sophomore vs junior-senior) and supervisory experience did not make a significant difference on leadership practice scores. Older students had significantly higher mean scores than younger students for Challenging. Students having help a leadership position had significantly higher scores for Modeling when compared to those who did not. Students considered themselves leaders at home (76%) and at work (69%) and reported that they were treated as leaders. Most students positively responded when answering whether they think they see themselves as a leader. This research shows that an instrument that can measure leadership in dietetics students should be developed. It is also necessary for educators to look for unique ways to incorporate leadership into the classroom and encourage the practice of new leadership actions. 

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