An Exploration of Youth–Parent–Mentor Relationship Dynamics in a Youth-Initiated Mentoring Intervention to Prevent Out-of-Home Placement

Abstract

This qualitative study explores the youth-initiated mentoring (YIM) approach for youth at risk for out-of-home placement. In this approach, a youth nominates someone from within their social network, and positions this person as a YIM to function as an ally for the youth and as a partner for parents and professional caregivers. Through interviews with six youth, six YIMs, and seven parents ( N = 19), we examined the positioning of a YIM and sustainability. The results indicated that attitudes from participants toward asking someone or being asked to become a YIM varied from enthusiastic to cautious. Participants reported increased contact intensity and relationship quality. Two parents did not experience YIM as beneficial. Most participants expected that the YIM–mentee relationship lasts after professional care terminates. The results reveal that YIM is experienced as an ally, but it also has the potential to increase relational conflicts between social network members.

Cultivation of Natural Mentors to Strengthen Resiliency in Youth: A Program Theory of Youth Initiated Mentoring (YIM)

“…Additionally, parents can support or discourage their children from developing relationships with extended family and community members. Research on YIM approaches indicates the importance of parental support of the youth-mentor relationship as well as the relationship between the parent and the mentor in determining the success of the mentoring relationship (Basualdo-Delmonico & Spencer, 2016;Keller, 2005;Van Dam et al, 2019).…”

Effectiveness and working mechanisms of the InConnection approach in multi-problem families: study protocol of a mixed-methods study

“…A sample of n = 228 is required for the t -test comparing youth who found a YIM to youth who did not, to find a medium effect ( d = .20). Expectations of effect sizes were based on meta-analyses on the effects of formal [ 24 ] and informal [ 25 ] mentoring, as well as empirical studies on the effects of YIM in the context of care [ 27 – 29 ].…”

“…In addition, preliminary positive results of the InConnection approach, including working with YIMs, have been found. In two studies with a total of 138 youth from multi-problem families, approximately 80–90% of youth continued to receive outpatient treatment only, despite a prior indication for out-of-home placement [ 16 , 29 ]. Yet, both studies have methodological limitations, such as the lack of a control group [ 29 ] and a retrospective quasi-experimental case-file-analysis design without measures of youth adaptivity [ 16 ].…”

“…In two studies with a total of 138 youth from multi-problem families, approximately 80–90% of youth continued to receive outpatient treatment only, despite a prior indication for out-of-home placement [ 16 , 29 ]. Yet, both studies have methodological limitations, such as the lack of a control group [ 29 ] and a retrospective quasi-experimental case-file-analysis design without measures of youth adaptivity [ 16 ]. Thus, further research is needed, with more rigorous designs to examine the effects, moderators, and mediators of the InConnection approach.…”

“…That is, youth are supported to autonomously choose a YIM and participate in shared decision making, as adults such as the social worker believe youth have the competence to choose what is right for them. Furthermore, the positioning of a YIM increases the relatedness with a supportive figure [ 37 ] and others [ 31 , 32 ]. Mentors also directly encourage youth to participate in treatment and achieve challenging treatment goals [ 21 ].…”