Characteristics of Natural Mentoring Relationships and Adolescent Adjustment: Evidence from a National Study

Abstract

This research investigated characteristics of natural mentoring relationships (mentor role, frequency of contact, closeness, duration) as predictors of adjustment outcomes among older adolescents and young adults (N = 2,053) in the Add Health study. Outcomes were assessed in the domains of education/work, problem behavior, psychological well-being, and physical health. Mentoring relationships with persons in roles outside of the family predicted greater likelihood of favorable outcomes in all domains except psychological well-being, relative to mentoring relationships with family members. Greater reported closeness in relationships was predictive of several favorable outcomes, particularly those in the domain of psychological well-being. These findings indicate that strategies to promote mentoring of adolescents may be more effective if particular categories of adults are targeted and an effort is made to cultivate relationships with strong emotional bonds. Editors' Strategic Implications: These data suggest that the cultivation of natural (especially non-familial) mentoring relationships during adolescence may be a promising strategy for prevention and health promotion. This study is impressive due to its large, nationally representative sample, the examination of relationship characteristics and multiple mentors, and the links to a variety of outcomes (controlling for earlier functioning). School officials and mentoring programs must consider how to capitalize on - and promote - naturally occurring mentor relationships.

Nonkin Natural Mentors in the Lives of Older Youths in Foster Care

“…The study also examined the correlates of individual mentoring features, an area that needs to be better understood to inform the design of mentoring programs. 34 In this study, 62% of the sample reported the presence of an unrelated natural mentor. Sixtytwo is a high percentage rate when compared to similar studies among youths in the general population.…”

“…33 In addition, a study utilizing a nationally representative sample of adolescents reported that 72.9% of the sample identified a natural mentor. 34 More recently, studies have begun to examine the nature (i.e., structure and quality) of supportive relationships. Some studies focus on the structural features of the relationship, such as duration and frequency of contact.…”

Informal mentoring and young adult employment

“…Their results show, overall, a significant positive effect of mentoring on the odds of employment (DuBois and Silverthorn, 2005b), although among those who report having a mentor, specific characteristics of the mentoring relationships were not associated with employment (DuBois and Silverthorn, 2005a). In their study, employment was examined alongside 17 other dependent variables related to educational attainment, problem behavior, psychological wellbeing, and physical health.…”

“…The only exception comes from the research of DuBois & Silverthorn (2005a;2005b), who used data from Add Health to explore the effects of informal mentoring on employment. Their results show, overall, a significant positive effect of mentoring on the odds of employment (DuBois and Silverthorn, 2005b), although among those who report having a mentor, specific characteristics of the mentoring relationships were not associated with employment (DuBois and Silverthorn, 2005a).…”

Improving Transitions of Care for Young Adults With Congenital Heart Disease: Mobile App Development Using Formative Research (Preprint)

“…[17] Disparities become further magnified in ethnic minorities. [4][5][6][7][8]13,18] Beyond healthcare access, disease knowledge, and TR, studies show a mentoring relationship (MR) [19][20][21] for adolescents with chronic disease is crucial for successful transition to adult care. [22] The transition period is a vulnerable time for adolescents with CHD, and many drop out of active health care.…”