Mentoring Research

New study suggests that disadvantaged youth gain the most from mentoring

Thompson, R.B., Corsello, M., McReynolds, S., & Conklin-Powers, B. (2013). A longitudinal study of family socioeconomic status (SES) variables as predictors of socio-emotional resilience among mentored youth. Mentoring & Tutoring: Partnership in Learning, 21 (4), 378-391. DOI: 10.1080/13611267.2013.855864. Reviewed by Stella Kanchewa, doctoral candidate in clinical psychology, UMass Boston Problem: Many mentoring programs focus on […]

Why Children With Parents in Prison Are Especially Burdened

Editor’s note. This article, which was originally posted in the Atlantic Monthly, describes both the psychological toll of parental incarceration, the results of two new reports, and the types of programs that have been developed to redress this issue. Clearly, youth mentoring has a vital role to play.  While mass incarceration in America came to […]

Group Mentoring Model Shows “Promise and Potential” – National Mentoring Resource Center Review

Group Review Board Gabriel Kuperminc, Ph.D. (Georgia State University) National Mentoring Resource Center This review examines the research evidence for mentoring programs that use a group format, in which one or more mentors is matched with a group of youth for a shared mentoring experience. This review addresses four topics related to group mentoring for […]

New study highlights the top 3 reasons for long waitlists in mentoring programs

DeWitt, D. J., Lipman, E. L., Da Costa, J., Graham, K., Larose, S., Pepler, D., Coyle, J., DuBois, D., Manzano-Munguia, M, & Ferro, A. (2016). Predictors of early versus late match relationship beginnings in Big Brothers Big Sisters community programs. Children and Youth Services Review. doi: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2016.01.004 Summarized by Jessica Cunningham, UMB Center for Evidence-Based Mentoring From the Abstract […]

Teens with lots of friends stay healthy longer

Posted by Thania Benios-UNC o The more social ties people have at an early age, the better their health is at the beginnings and ends of their lives, a new study suggests. Researchers say the study is the first to definitively link social relationships with concrete measures of physical well-being such as abdominal obesity, inflammation, […]

New study shows the lasting effects of childhood bullying

Many of us may recall an instance of being bullied when we were young. Unfortunately, for many, these unpleasant experiences aren’t just a distant memory. In fact, they’ve adversely affected their relationships well into adulthood. Bullying, or the abuse of power to distress or control another person, is prevalent across societies and circumstances the world […]

New research explores children’s peer group dynamics

Posted by Rachel Griess-Texas on January 5, 2016 The threat of ostracism leads children to imitate group behaviors as a way to get back in the “in-group,” according to psychologists. Previous studies indicate that excluded adults will mimic behaviors of others to increase “liking and rapport” in an attempt to be re-included; new research suggests children are […]

Study uncovers interesting differences in the interpersonal tone of school-based mentoring relationships

Pryce, J. M., & Keller, T. E. (2013). Interpersonal tone within school-based youth mentoring relationships. Youth & Society, 45(1), 98-116. Background Positive mentoring relationships display closeness, warmth, authenticity, and empathy. This study sought to capture the emotional tone of interactions within the relationships, using observable interactions, such as communication, facial expressions, eye contact, and signs of affection. […]

How mentors can help youth flourish: Implications from positive psychology

Leach, C. J., Green, L. S., & Grant, A. M. (2014). Flourishing Youth Provision: The Potential Role of Positive Psychology and Coaching in Enhancing Youth Services. International Journal of Evidence Based Coaching and Mentoring, 9(1). 44-58. Summary Great Britain and Australia have well-developed strategies for what is called youth work in these contexts – or […]

Volunteering can reduce mortality in older adults, but motivation matters

 The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, Volume 54B Issue 3, Pp. S173-S18. Marc A. Musick, A. Regula Herzog and James S. House, Institute for Social Research, The University of Michigan Ann Arbor Abstract Objectives. Although a number of authors have proposed that older volunteers should benefit in terms of better health and well-being, few researchers have examined the issue […]