NCJ Number
254436
Journal
Journal of Adolescent Research Volume: 34 Issue: 1 Dated: 2019 Pages: 3-29
Date Published
2019
Length
27 pages
Annotation
This qualitative interview study examined the formation of youth-initiated mentoring (YIM) relationships and how they were experienced by mentors (n - 14), youth (n - 17), and the youths' parent/guardian (n - 6).
Abstract
Youth-initiated mentoring (YIM), in which youth select adults from within their communities to serve as mentors in relationships that are formalized through mentoring programs, has the potential to redress problems faced by many mentoring programs that could adversely affect system-involved youth, such as volunteer attrition and premature match closures; however, only a few programs have implemented YIM, and there is little research on this approach. In the current study, YIM youth tended to select adults whom they had encountered through school or social services. Findings indicate that the YIM selection process contributed to mentor, youth, and parent/guardian investment in the mentoring relationship and to the youth's rapid development of feelings of closeness and trust in the mentor. Knowing that mentors would be nonjudgmental, trustworthy, and dedicated appeared to facilitate positive relationship development, which is important, given the difficulty of engaging and serving system-involved youth in mentoring programs. 53 references (publisher abstract modified)