Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

The Role of Program-Supported Mentoring Relationships in Promoting Youth Mental Health, Behavioral and Developmental Outcomes

  • Published:
Prevention Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between youth mentoring status and behavioral, developmental, and emotional outcomes for 859 youths aged 6–17 participating in a national survey of Big Brothers Big Sisters community mentoring relationships (MRs). Youth self-reported behaviors and mental health occurred at the baseline assessment (before being paired to a mentor) and at 18 months follow-up. Youth mentoring status was categorized as follows: (1) continuous MR less than 12 months (n = 131); (2) continuous MR 12 or more months (n = 253); (3) dissolved MR less than 12 months (n = 110); (4) dissolved MR 12 or more months (n = 70); 5) MR with a second mentor (re-matched; n = 83); and (6); never mentored (n = 212). Structural equation model results at 18 months revealed that mentored youths, especially those in MR lasting 12 or more months (continuous or dissolved), reported significantly fewer behavioral problems and fewer symptoms of depression and social anxiety than did non-mentored youths. They also reported stronger coping skills and emotional support from parents. Mentored girls and boys in long-term relationships experienced positive outcomes. Re-matched girls displayed better outcomes than did never-mentored girls while there was some evidence of harmful outcomes for re-matched boys. Threats to internal validity are examined including the possibility of pre-existing baseline differences between mentored and non-mentored youths. Implications for mentoring programs are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Achenbach, T. M., Becker, A., Dopfner, M., Heiervang, E., Roessner, V., Steinhausen, H.-C., & Rothenberger, A. (2008). Multicultural assessment of child and adolescent psychopathology with ASEBA and SDQ instruments: research findings, applications, and future directions. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 49, 251–275. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.2007.01867.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada. (2014). Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada National Learning Center. http://www.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/en/Home/default.aspx.

  • Brener, N. D., Billy, J. O. G., & Grady, W. R. (2003). Assessment of the factors affecting the validity of self-reported health risk behavior among adolescents: evidence from the scientific literature. Journal of Adolescent Health, 33, 436–457.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brodzinsky, D. M., Elias, M. J., Steiger, C., Simon, J., Gill, M., & Hitt, J. C. (1992). Coping Scale for children and youth: scale development and validation. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 13, 195–214.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Byles, J., Bryne, C., Boyle, M. H., & Offord, D. R. (1988). Ontario child health study: reliability and validity of the general functioning subscale of the McMaster family assessment device. Family Process, 27, 97–104.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Connor, K. M., Davidson, J. R. T., Churchill, L. E., Sherwood, A., Foa, E., & Weisler, R. H. (2000). Psychometric properties of the social phobia inventory (SPIN). British Journal of Psychiatry, 176, 379–386.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dolan, P., Brady, B., O’Regan, C., Russell, D., Canavan, J., & Forkan, C. (2011). Big brothers big sisters of Ireland: evaluation study. Report 1: RCT and implementation report. Galway: Child and Family Research Centre, National University of Ireland, Galway.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dry, S. M., Kane, R. T., & Rooney, R. M. (2015). An investigation into the role of coping in preventing depression associated with perfectionism in pre-adolescent children. Frontiers in Public Health, 3, 1–9. doi:10.3389/pubh.2015.00190.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DuBois, D. L., & Neville, H. A. (1997). Youth mentoring: investigation of relationship characteristics and perceived benefits. American Journal of Community Psychology, 25, 227–234.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DuBois, D. L., Portillo, N., Rhodes, J. E., Silverhorn, N., & Valentine, J. C. (2011). How effective are mentoring programs for youth? A systematic assessment of the evidence. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 12, 57–91. doi:10.1177/1529100611414806.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dubow, E. F., & Ullman, D. G. (1989). Assessing social support in elementary school children: the survey of Children’s social support. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 18, 52–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eddy, J.M., Herrera, D., Martinez, C.R., Grossman, J., Cearley, J.J., Harachi, T., Kjellstrand, J., Haggerty, K., Wheeler, A., Feldman, B., Seeley, J., & Gau, J. (2015). Twelve-year professional youth mentoring program for high risk youth: Continuation of a longitudinal randomized controlled trial. US Department of Justice. Document No. 248595.

  • Furano, K., Roaf, P. A., Styles, M. B., & Branch, A. Y. (1993). Big Brothers/Big Sisters: a study of program practices. Philadelphia, PA: Public/Private Ventures.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldner, L., & Mayseless, O. (2009). The quality of mentoring relationships and mentoring success. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 38, 1339–1350. doi:10.1007/s10964-008-9345-0.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Goodman, R., & Scott, S. (1999). Comparing the strengths and difficulties questionnaire and the child behavior checklist: is small beautiful? Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 27, 17–24.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Graham, J. W. (2009). Missing data analysis: making it work in the real world. Annual Review of Psychology, 60, 549–576. doi:10.1146/annurev.psych.58.110405.085530.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Grossman, J. B., & Rhodes, J. E. (2002). The test of time: predictors and effects of duration in youth mentoring relationships. American Journal of Community Psychology, 30, 199–219. doi:10.1023/A:1014680827552.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Grossman, J. B., Chan, C. S., Schwartz, S. E. O., & Rhodes, J. E. (2012). The test of time in school-based mentoring: the role of relationship duration and re-matching on academic outcomes. American Journal of Community Psychology, 49, 43–54.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Herrera, C., Sipe, L., & McClanahan, W. S. (2000). Mentoring school-age children: relationship development in community and school-based programs. Philadelphia, PA: Public/Private Ventures.

    Google Scholar 

  • Herrera, C., DuBois, D. L., & Grossman, J. B. (2013). The role of risk: mentoring experiences and outcomes for youth with varying risk profiles. New York, NY: Public/Private Ventures.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keller, T. E. (2005). The stages and development of mentoring relationships. In D. L. DuBois & M. J. Karcher (Eds.), Handbook of youth mentoring (pp. 82–99). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • La Greca, A. M. (1999). Social anxiety scales for children and adolescents. Manual and instructions for SASC, SASC-R, SAS-A (adolescents) and parent versions of the scales. Miami, FL: Author.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liang, B., Bogat, A., & Duffy, N. (2013). Gender in mentoring relationships. In D. L. DuBois & M. J. Karcher (Eds.), Handbook of youth mentoring (pp. 159–175). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lymburner, J. (2006). Predictors of match duration in a Big Sisters mentoring program. (Ph.D. dissertation), Simon Fraser University. Retrieved from http://summit.sfu.ca/item/6640.

  • McGuire, J. B. (1997). The reliability and validity of a questionnaire describing neighborhood characteristics relevant to families and young children living in urban areas. Journal of Community Psychology, 25, 551–566.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meyerson, D. A. (2013). Mentoring youth with emotional and behavioral problems: a meta-analytic review. (Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)), DePaul University. Retrieved from http://via.library.depaul.edu/csh_etd/56

  • Moodie, M. L., & Fisher, J. (2009). Are youth mentoring programs good value for money? An evaluation of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Melbourne Program. BMC Public Health, 9, 41–49. doi:10.1186/1471-2458-9-41.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Muris, P., Meesters, C., Eijkelenboom, A., & Vincken, M. (2004). The self-report version of the strengths and difficulties questionnaire: its psychometric properties in 8–13 year old non-clinical children. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 43, 437–448.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Muthen, L. K., & Muthen, B. O. (2011). M-plus. Statistical analysis with latent variables. User’s guide. Los Angeles, CA: Authors. Version 6.11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Myers, K., & Winters, N. C. (2002). Ten-year review of rating scales II: scales for internalizing disorders. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 41, 634–659.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pryce, J., Kelly, M. S., & Guidone, S. R. (2013). Mentor and youth matching. In D. L. DuBois & M. J. Karcher (Eds.), Handbook of youth mentoring (2nd ed., pp. 427–439). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Radloff, L. S. (1977). The CES-D Scale: a self-report depression scale for research in the general population. Applied Psychological Measurement, 1, 385–401.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rhodes, J. (2002). Stand by me: the risks and rewards of mentoring today’s youth. Cambridge Massachusetts: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rhodes, J. E. (2008). Improving youth mentoring interventions through research based practice. American Journal of Community Psychology, 41, 35–42.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rhodes, J., Spencer, R., Keller, T. E., Liang, B., & Noam, G. (2006). A model for the influence of mentoring relationships on youth development. Journal of Community Psychology, 34, 691–707. doi:10.1002/jcop.20124.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rhodes, J., Lowe, S. R., Litchfield, L., & Walsh-Samp, K. (2008). The role of gender in youth mentoring relationship formation and duration. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 72, 183–192. doi:10.1016/j.jvb.2007.09.005.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rhodes, J.E., Schwartz, S.E.O., Willis, M.M., & Wu, M.B. (2014). Validating a mentoring relationship quality scale: Does match strength predict match length? Youth and Society, 1-23, doi: 10.1177/0044118X14531604.

  • Rodriguez-Planas, N. (2014). Do youth mentoring programs change the perspectives and improve the life opportunities of at-risk youth? IZA World of Labor, 62. doi: 10.15185/izawol.62

  • Shoemaker, A. L. (1980). Construct validity of area-specific self-esteem: the Hare Self-Esteem Scale. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 40, 495–501.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spencer, R. (2007). “I just feel safe with him”: emotional closeness in male youth mentoring relationships. Psychology of Men and Masculinity, 8, 185–198.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spencer, R., Basualdo-Delmonico, A., Walsh, J., & Drew, A. L. (2014). Breaking up is hard to do: a qualitative interview study of how and why youth mentoring relationships end. Youth and Society. doi:10.1177/0044118X14535416.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stopa, J. E., Barrett, P. M., & Golingi, F. (2010). The prevention of childhood anxiety in socioeconomically disadvantaged communities: a universal school-based trial. Advances in School Mental Health Promotion, 3, 5–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tolan, P. H., Henry, D. B., Schoeny, M. S., Lovegrove, P., & Nichols, E. (2014). Mentoring programs to affect delinquency and associated outcomes of youth at risk: a comprehensive meta-analytic review. Journal of Experimental Criminology, 10, 179–206. doi:10.1007/s11292-013-9181-4.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Weissman, M. M., Orvaschel, H., & Padian, N. (1980). Children’s symptom and social functioning self-report scales: comparison of mother’s and children’s reports. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 168, 736–740.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wills, T. A., & Shinar, O. (2000). Measuring perceived and received social support. In C. Sheldon, L. G. Underwood, & B. H. Gottlieb (Eds.), Social support measurement and intervention: a guide for health and social scientists (pp. 86–135). New York: Oxford University Press.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Wills, T. A., Vaccaro, D., & McNamara, G. (1992). The role of life events, family support, and competence in adolescent substance use: a test of vulnerability and protective factors. American Journal of Community Psychology, 20, 349–374. doi:10.1007/BF00937914.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Social and Epidemiological Research Department, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 100 Collip Circle, Suite 200, London, Ontario, N6G 4X8, Canada

    David J. DeWit

  2. University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, USA

    David DuBois

  3. Koc University Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey

    Gizem Erdem

  4. Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada

    Simon Larose

  5. McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

    Ellen L. Lipman

Authors
  1. David J. DeWit
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. David DuBois
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Gizem Erdem
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Simon Larose
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Ellen L. Lipman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to David J. DeWit.

Ethics declarations

Funding

Funding for this research was provided by grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (MOP 81115 and MOP 130435). The authors are grateful for the kind support of BBBS of Canada and the participating agencies.

Conflicts of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Ethical approval

All study procedures were conducted in accordance with the ethical standards of the CAMH Research Ethics Board and the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual study participants.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

ESM 1

(DOCX 110 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

DeWit, D.J., DuBois, D., Erdem, G. et al. The Role of Program-Supported Mentoring Relationships in Promoting Youth Mental Health, Behavioral and Developmental Outcomes. Prev Sci 17, 646–657 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-016-0663-2

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-016-0663-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation