New Mentoring Research

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

New research highlights differential effects of natural mentors on youth eating disorders

Editor’s Note: This study highlights the importance of both recognizing the benefits of a mentoring relationship for youth who are experiencing difficulties with their body self-image as well as the limits of a supportive mentoring relationship in youth diagnosed with eating disorders. By finding this balance between benefit and limits, programs can help support youth […]

New research identifies mentoring strategies for at-risk youth

Wesely, J. K., Dzoba, N. P., Miller, H. V., & Rasche, C. E. (2017). Mentoring at-risk youth: An examination of strain and mentor response strategies. American Journal of Criminal Justice, 42, 198-217. doi: 10.1007/s12103-016-9353-7 Summarized by Justin Preston Editor’s Note: This research touches on a crucial aspect of the mentoring relationship: the relational skills needed […]

Can grades, attendance, and life satisfaction change after just 8 sessions of school-based mentoring?: Yes!!

McQuillin S. & Lyons, D. (2016). Brief instrumental school-based mentoring for middle school students: theory and impact.  Advances in School Mental Health Promotion,  9, 2, 73–89. (reprinted from Abstract) This study evaluated the efficacy of an intentionally brief school-based mentoring program. This academic goal-focused mentoring program was developed through a series of iterative randomized controlled […]

New research investigates the benefits of mindfulness for college mentors

Editor’s Note: Mentor training is a key piece of many mentoring programs. Mentor-centric skills are an area that is less-studied than the ways in which mentors can relate to their mentees, foster quality relationships, and so on. This study takes some initial steps in the process of finding ways that mindfulness-based practices may be able […]

Supporting mentoring relationships of youth in foster care: Do program practices predict match length?

Stelter, R., Kupersmidt, J.,& Stump, K.(2018).Supporting mentoring relationships of youth in foster care: Do program practices predict match length? American Journal of Community Psychology, Apr 15, 2018.       Summary (reprinted from the Abstract) Implementation of research- and safety-based program practices enhance the longevity of mentoring relationships, in general; however, little is known about how mentoring programs might […]

Mentors help first-generation college students succeed

Fruiht, V. and Chan, T. (2018). Naturally Occurring Mentorship in a National Sample of First-Generation College Goers: A Promising Portal for Academic and Developmental Success. American Journal of Community Psychology (2018) 0:1–12. Editor’s Note: Professor Veronica Fruiht continues to produce important research on natural mentoring relationships. In this new study, she and her colleague find […]

Study Highlights the Importance of Mentor Attunement

Pryce, J. (2013). Mentor attunement: An approach to Successful School-based Mentoring Relationships. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 29, 285–305  Background In this study, Julia Pryce, Professor of Social Work at Loyola University, notes that successful mentoring “requires an exceptional level of effort and commitment” and that many youth mentoring relationships fall short. The strongest […]

Study of natural mentors highlights importance of relationship quality

Whitney, Hendricker & Offutt (2014). Moderating factors of natural mentoring relationships, problem behaviors, and emotional well-being. Mentoring and Tutoring: Partnership in Learning, 19(1), 83-105. Summarized by Stella Kanchewa, Ph.D. Researcher and practitioners alike have noted that quality mentoring relationships in which there is a sense of trust, mutuality and closeness have the greatest potential to […]

Study Explores Short-term Mentoring Benefits - The Chronicle of Evidence-Based-Mentoring

Study Explores Short-term Mentoring

Eby, L.T., Durley, J.R., Evans, S.C., & Ragins, B.R. (2006). The relationship between short-term mentoring benefits and long-term mentoring outcomes. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 69: 424–444. Mentoring research has often focused on the benefits to the mentees, but few studies have examined the short-term and long-term benefits to mentors. Eby, Durley, Evans, and Ragins (2006) […]

Can mentoring create better citizens: These findings suggest so!

Editor’s note: For years, scholars have argued that one of the benefits of serving as a mentor is that it awakens the adult to the problems facing today’s youth. Many of us have seen the potential benefits of connecting middle-class voters with at-risk youth. Mentoring provides a lens through which  middle-class adults can see the ravages […]