New Mentoring Research

A survey of the latest peer-reviewed research on youth mentoring.

What are the motivations, program support, and personal growth that occur within cross-racial mentoring relationships with Black youth?

Jones, K., Parra-Cardona, R., Sánchez, B., Vohra-Gupta, S., & Franklin, C. (2023). Motivations, program support, and personal growth: Mentors perspectives on the reciprocal benefits of cross-racial mentoring relationships with Black youth. Children and Youth Services Review, 106996. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2023.106996 Summarized by Ariel Ervin Notes of Interest: Although Black youths are the most significant demographic of young people who receive […]

Natural mentoring among college students of color: New study explores the role of ethnic-racial identity and psychological well-being

Garcia-Murillo, Y., Sánchez, B., Carter, J. S., McMahon, S. D., & Schwartz, S. E. (2023). Natural mentoring among college students of color: Considerations for their ethnic-racial identity and psychological well-being. Journal of Community Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.23064 Summarized by Ariel Ervin Notes of Interest: College students of color in predominately White institutions (PWIs) have poorer graduation and retention […]

What are the benefits of virtually mentoring youth?

Andersen, T. S., & Wellen, H. (2023). Being a mentor in the digital era: An exploratory study of the benefits undergraduate student mentors derived from providing virtual mentoring to youth. Journal of Community Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.23051 Summarized by Ariel Ervin Notes of Interest: Mentoring programs are affordable interventions that can reduce or prevent risky behaviors and promote positive […]

New study assesses the longitudinal impacts of mentor role on youth outcomes

Samuels, J., Davis, A. L., & McQuillin, S. D. (2023). Assessing longitudinal impacts of mentor role on youth outcomes. Youth & Society, 0044118X231168439.  https://doi.org/10.1177/0044118X231168439 Summarized by Ariel Ervin Notes of Interest: Research shows that youths with natural mentors are more likely to have more positive attitudes about school, have higher expectations for academic success, perform better […]

Supporting mentees’ emotion regulation strategies

Kiadarbandsari, A. (2023). Mentors’ supporting approaches of mentees’ cognitive emotion regulation strategies. Journal of Adolescent Research, 1–36. Summarized by Megyn Jasman and Ariel Ervin Notes of Interest: Emotion regulation strategies involve handling thoughts, feelings, and other emotions in ways that contribute to positive outcomes. Since adolescents are still developing their cognitive abilities, they need guidance […]

What factors can sustain indigenous youth mentoring programs?

Sanchez, J., Maiden, J., Barton, E., Walters, L., Quinn, D., Jones, N., Doyle, A. K., & Lim, D. (2023). Factors that sustain indigenous youth mentoring programs: A qualitative systematic review. BMC Public Health, 23(1), 429.  https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-15253-2 Summarized by Ariel Ervin Notes of Interest: Indigenous youths have disproportionally lower quality mental health and well-being ratings than their non-Indigenous […]

New insights into mentor-mentee communication patterns within the context of relationship quality

Dutton, H., Deane, K. L., & Overall, N. C. (2023). Using observational dyadic methods in youth mentoring research: Preliminary evidence of the role of actors’ and partners’ self-disclosure in predicting relationship quality. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 52, 1157–1169. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-023-01757-y Summarized by Ariel Ervin  Notes of Interest: Self-disclosure is an excellent communication tool for developing relationships. Although self-disclosure […]

Finding purpose during times of adversity: The MentorOn program

Patel, K. N., Lincoln, B., Gomez, L. A. M., Lopez, A. C., Ting, T., Lund, T. J., & Liang, B. (2023). MentorOn: A peer mentoring program developed for COVID‐19 times. Journal of Community Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.23030 Summarized by Megyn Jasman and Ariel Ervin Notes of Interest: The COVID-19 pandemic has brought up several concerns about youth […]

New study explores the effects of white mentors’ beliefs about discrimination

Simpson, S. B., Hsu, T., & Raposa, E. B. (2023). Trajectories and impact of White mentors’ beliefs about racial and ethnic discrimination in a formal youth mentoring program. American Journal of Community Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajcp.12664 Summarized by Ariel Ervin Notes of Interest: Evidence indicates that American mentoring programs are more accessible and less stigmatizing for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, […]

Systematic review explores natural mentoring among underrepresented college students

Monjaras-Gaytan, L. Y., & Sánchez, B. (2023). Historically underrepresented college students and natural mentoring relationships: A systematic review. Children and Youth Services Review, 149, 106965. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2023.106965 Summarized by Ariel Ervin Notes of Interest: Historically underrepresented college students encounter many hurdles as they navigate higher education. Although natural mentorships are a viable way to support historically underrepresented […]