Young Mentors Relationship Capacity: Parent-Child Connectedness, Attitudes Toward Mentees, Empathy, and Perceived Match Quality

• NCJ Number: 254361
• Journal: Journal of Social and Personal Relationships Volume: 36 Issue: 2 Dated: 2019 Pages: 642-658
• Author(s): Jennifer L. Doty; Lindsay M. Weller; Christopher J. Mehus; Barbara . J. McMorris
• Date Published: 2019
• Length: 17 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2012-JU-FX
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical); Report (Study/Research); Report (Grant Sponsored); Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Using data from young mentors age 15-26 participating in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters school-based mentoring program (n -155), this study examined potential mediators of the relationship between young mentors perceived parent-child connectedness and perceived match quality.

Abstract

Because the responsibility of developing strong connections to mentees often depends on mentors themselves, examining mentor qualities and relational capacity may identify malleable factorsor potential points of interventionto improve perceived match quality. Relational capacity has been proposed as a theoretical concept for understanding how mentors' previous experience, characteristics, and skills relate to mentoring quality. The conceptual model tested in the current study posits that parent-child relationships build young mentors' relational capacity for successful mentoring relationships. The study found that attitudes toward mentees and empathy skills mediated the relationship between parent-child connectedness and perceived match quality. Findings suggest that parent-child connectedness contributes to attitudes and skills that may strengthen perceived match quality. From a positive youth development perspective, young mentors with low relational capacity may require support to ensure high-quality matches. (Publisher abstract modified)