Abstract Introduction The current healthcare system requires Maternal and Child Health (MCH) professionals with strong interdisciplinary leadership competence. MCH training programs utilize a conceptual framework for leadership and twelve validated MCH leadership Competencies. Examining Trainee Perceived Leadership Competence (TPLC) through the competencies has the potential to inform our understanding of leadership development. Methods Five cohorts of NH-ME Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities trainees (n=102) completed the MCH Leadership Competencies Self-assessment at three time points. Paired-sample t-tests examined TPLC scores. A one-way analysis of variance tested for statistically significant differences in mean difference scores. A General Linear Model was used to examine the extent to which TPLC scores changed when controlling for specific variables. Results Statistically significant differences in mean scores between Time 1 and Time 3 were found. Cohen’s d effect sizes fell in the moderate range. A one-way ANOVA demonstrated significant differences between groups in the spheres of self and others. TPLC mean scores between Time 1 and Time 3 in the sphere of wider community had the highest increases in four out of five cohorts. Age, discipline, experience, and relationship to disability did not contribute to the model. Discussion On average, cohorts began the year with very different evaluations of their leadership competence but finished the year with similar scores. This suggests participation in the NH-ME LEND Program consistently supported the development of leadership self-identity. Small sample sizes limit the ability to draw definitive conclusions from these results. Further study with a larger sample may reveal relationships between cohort characteristics and change scores. Key Words: Leadership, Self-identity, MCH Leadership Competencies, LEND, Interdisciplinary Significance Self-identity provides a central structure around which learners can organize their understanding of ‘self as leader’ (Lord & Hall, 2005). Examining Trainee Perceived Leadership Competence (TPLC) through the MCH Leadership Competencies Self-assessment has the potential to further inform our understanding of the developmental progression of leadership development within MCH training programs.
