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How can researchers study developmental constructs over time when age-appropriate measures change as their sample ages?

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By Sarah Beal, Society for Research on Adolescence Studying change in depressive symptoms in youth over time poses specific challenges for researchers related to both change in symptom manifestation and change in age-validated measurement. Assessing change in mental health, such as depressive symptoms, across development is particularly challenging for two related reasons. First, the symptoms […]

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Homeless Youth and their Natural Mentors

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Dang, M.T., & Miller, E. (2016). Characteristics of natural mentoring relationships from the perspective of homeless youth. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, Advance online publication. DOI: 10.1111/jcap.12038 Introduction: Relative to their peers, homeless youth face greater challenges including higher rates of mental illness, substance abuse, risky sexual behavior, and victimization.  Given the negative outcomes […]

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New research unpacks how social interaction impacts physical activity-based programs

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McDonough, M. H., Ullrich-French, S., & McDavid, M. L. (2018). Helping kids connect: Participant and staff perspectives on facilitating social relationships in a physical activity-based positive youth development program for youth from low-income families. Sport, Exercise, And Performance Psychology, 7(1), 13-29. doi:10.1037/spy0000109 Summarized by Cyanea Poon Notes of Interest: This qualitative study adopted the socio-ecological […]

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Mentor awareness: Girls may be discouraged from “brilliance” at a young age

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Posted by James Devitt, NYU By the age of six, girls become less likely than boys to associate brilliance with their own gender and are more likely to avoid anything they think may require it. A new study published in the journal Science shows how early gender stereotypes take hold and suggests that they may […]

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The “warm-glow” theory of giving to others: Implications for mentoring programs

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by Jean Rhodes Why do people give their precious time and resources to strangers? Is it pure altruism or are there other motivational forces at work? This is an intriguing question that has implications for our efforts to encourage volunteerism and charitable donations. Fortunately, a growing number of scholars have focused on non-profit organizations as an […]

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Guest Contributor Niobe Way: Why we should celebrate all mentors, male and female

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by Niobe Way, Ed.D., Professor of Applied Developmental Psychology at NYU and Author of Deep Secrets Matching boys with caring mentors should be the goal of any mentoring program regardless of the sex of the mentor. My research with Black, Latino, White, and Asian American boys over the past two decades indicates that boys want […]

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Why are boys less likely to disclose their problems: Implications for mentoring

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Rose, A. J., Schwartz‐Mette, R. A., Smith, R. L., Asher, S. R., Swenson, L. P., Carlson, W., & Waller, E. M. (2012). How Girls and Boys Expect Disclosure About Problems Will Make Them Feel: Implications for Friendships. Child Development, 83(3), 844-863. Summary One of the strongest findings in the sex differences of friendships is that girls […]

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New research highlights how relationships support young people

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Summarized by UMass Boston doctoral student Stella Kanchewa, M.A. Guay, F., Ratelle, C., Larose, S., Vallerand, R.J., & Vitaro, F. (2013). The number of autonomy-supportive relationships: Are more relationships better for motivation, perceived competence, and achievement? Contemporary Educational Psychology, 38, 375-382. Introduction: Self-determination theory (SDT) suggests that students are “…inherently self-motivated to master their environment. […]

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Social and Identity Development in After-school Programs

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Jones, J.N., & Deutsch, N.L. (2013). Social and identity development in an after-school program: Changing experiences and shifting adolescent needs. Journal of Early Adolescence, 33(1), 17-43. Introduction: Experiences afforded through a theprograms, activities and social interactions in after-school settings provide a context for positive social and identity development. This is particularly true for youth with […]

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Evidence Corner: Let’s Get Physical!

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by David DuBois I had occasion a few years ago to consult with a statewide mentoring organization around issues of program evaluation and outcome measurement. The outcome survey that I developed for the organization’s consideration proved to be too long for practical use. So, a session was convened in which program leaders had the opportunity […]

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