Investigating mentor commitment in youth mentoring relationships: The role of perceived program practices

Abstract

Highly committed mentors may be less likely to end their mentoring relationships with their mentees. Theory suggests commitment is predicted by relationship satisfaction, investment, and perceptions of available alternatives. Mentoring program practices may influence commitment, but little research has investigated potential mechanisms. Using data from 537 mentors representing 55 mentoring programs, this study examined a theoretical path model in which mentor perceptions of program practices, specifically setting expectations, prematch mentor training, and matching based on mentor preferences, predict mentor satisfaction, investment, perceptions of available alternatives, and ultimately, relationship commitment. As expected, commitment was associated positively with satisfaction and investment and negatively with available alternatives. Perceptions of the program setting clear expectations, the amount of prematch training, and matching by preferences predicted mentor commitment. These associations were mediated by relationship satisfaction, investment, and available alternatives, respectively. These findings identify program practices that can support mentor commitment.

Identifying predictors of psychological well‐being among volunteer mentors in Big Brothers Big Sisters

“…Our study suggests that match length may be associated with enhanced well‐being for mentors, just as it is for youth mentees (Grossman & Rhodes, 2002; Grossman et al, 2012). The findings also complement research highlighting the role of program supervision and support in promoting positive mentoring experiences (Drew et al, 2020; Keller & DuBois, 2021; Keller et al, 2020).…”

“…beneficial for mentors (Drew et al, 2020;Keller & DuBois, 2021;Keller et al, 2020). By contrast, the largest subset (i.e., longer than 4.5 months but lower ratings on MSS safe base), reported levels of psychological wellbeing just slightly lower than the overall mean residual for the sample.…”

Do program practices matter for mentors?: How implementation of empirically supported program practices is associated with youth mentoring relationship quality

“…According to the investment model of interpersonal relationships, satisfaction with a relationship, based on perceived benefits relative to costs and to expectations for an ideal relationship, is a primary contributor to relationship commitment (Le & Agnew, 2003; Tran et al, 2019). In research applying the investment model to mentors' experiences in youth mentoring relationships, satisfaction with the mentoring relationship has been shown to predict mentor commitment (Drew et al, 2020; Gettings & Wilson, 2014). Furthermore, relationship satisfaction and other constructs in the investment model mediate associations between mentor commitment and specific, conceptually aligned practices implemented by mentoring programs, such as pre‐match training and expectations setting (Drew et al, 2020).…”

Going the distance: A longitudinal qualitative study of formal youth mentoring relationship development

“…Mentor training has been found to be associated with match longevity as has program adherence to the Elements of Effective Practice for Mentoring (MENTOR, 2009), which includes helping mentors set realistic expectations for the mentoring relationship and having program requirements that encourage mentor commitment (minimum commitment for match duration and frequency of contact) as well as consistent program monitoring of the relationship (Kupersmidt, Stelter, et al, 2017; Kupersmidt, Stump, et al, 2017). Prematch training and mentor‐youth matching by participant preferences has also been found to positively predict mentor commitment (Drew et al, 2020). Programs would be well‐advised to discuss with mentors their expectations throughout the mentoring process to identify any that may be unrealistic or out of sync with the needs of their mentee and to help mentors shift their expectations so that they feel less dissatisfied with the mentoring experience and more fully engaged with and committed to the youth.…”