Implementation in Residential Youth Care: Providers Perspectives on Effective Leadership Behavior

ABSTRACT Considering the high prevalence of mental health challenges among the residential youth care (RYC) population, it is imperative that research-informed interventions are implemented in this setting. However, little research is available regarding RYC implementation practices. Leadership is a vital influencer of implementation success. Therefore, the aim of this study was to further the knowledge base concerning effective implementation in RYC by investigating implementation leadership behavior. Utilizing qualitative methods, RYC providers were asked about effective implementation leadership behaviors, with an emphasis on similarities and variations in behavior enacted by different leadership levels within the organization. The results indicate that relations-oriented and task-oriented leadership behavior are more important than change-oriented implementation leadership behavior among the providers interviewed. The reported behaviors differed in terms of leadership level. The top executive leadership was more involved in task-oriented leadership behavior (i.e., monitoring activities, resource procurement), while the facility management was more involved with relations-oriented behaviors (i.e., providing support, facilitating cooperation). Finally, the results are discussed in light of RYC characteristics and implementation stages.