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Predictors of mentoring relationship quality: Investigation from the perspectives of youth and parent participants in Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada one‐to‐one mentoring programs
Author(s) -
De Wit David J.,
DuBois David L.,
Erdem Gizem,
Larose Simon,
Lipman Ellen L.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of community psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.585
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1520-6629
pISSN - 0090-4392
DOI - 10.1002/jcop.22244
Subject(s) - psychology , referral , quality (philosophy) , positive youth development , clinical psychology , longitudinal study , developmental psychology , medical education , medicine , family medicine , philosophy , epistemology , pathology
Aims This study examined predictors of mentoring relationship quality (MRQ) as reported by youth and parents participating in Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Canada one‐to‐one mentoring programs. Methods Mentoring program capacity and other external supports, youth personal and environmental risk, youth and parent attitudes and motives, and mentoring relationship processes and attributes were examined as predictors of MRQ at 18 months following youth referral to the program using data from a longitudinal study of the Canadian BBBS mentoring programs. Results For youth ( n = 335), significant predictors of MRQ included: minimal difficulties pairing youth and mentors, perceptions of shared attributes with their mentor, mentor emotional engagement and support, and longer relationships. For parents ( n = 356) higher MRQ was correlated with parent report of minimal difficulties pairing youth and mentors, a high‐quality relationship with the youth's mentor, and longer relationships. Conclusion Implications for program and policy development are discussed.