Predictors of Premature Match Closure in Youth Mentoring Relationships

Kupersmidt, Janis B.; Stump, Kathryn N.; Stelter, Rebecca L.; Rhodes, Jean E.

doi:10.1002/ajcp.12124

Cited by 52 publications

(86 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…A few studies have examined program experiences in relation to mentoring relationship quality, but not youth risk. For instance, mentor training, communication and support have been positively associated with relationship quality, youth outcomes, and the continuation of relationships (DuBois, Holloway, Valentine, & Cooper, ; Herrera et al., ; Kupersmidt, Stump, Stelter, & Rhodes, ; McQuillin, Straight, & Saeki, ; Stelter, Kupersmidt, & Stump, ). Because program experiences may be more amendable than mentor/mentee characteristics, they may be important factors to consider in buffering the negative impact of youth risk on the quality of the mentoring relationship.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Youth Risk and Mentoring Relationship Quality: The Moderating Effect of Program Experiences

Weiler

Boat

Haddock

2019

American J of Comm Psychol

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Highlights• Youth environmental risk was negatively associated with mentoring relationship quality.• Youth individual risk was not associated with mentoring relationship quality.• Mentors' program experience was positively related to mentoring relationship quality.• Mentors' program experience buffered the link between environmental risk and relationship quality.Abstract Because program experiences are more amendable than mentor or mentee characteristics, they may be important factors to consider in buffering the negative impact of youth risk on the quality of the mentor-mentee bond. Data from 455 mentees (ages 11-18; 57% male) and their undergraduate student mentors (82.3% female) from the Campus Connections mentoring program were used to assess whether youth risk and mentors' program experiences (i.e., program structure, supportive relationships with staff, opportunities for skill building, support for efficacy and mattering, and opportunities to belong) were associated with mentoring relationship quality and whether mentors' experience within the program moderated the association between youth risk and mentoring relationship quality. Results indicated that environmental, but not individual, risk was negatively associated with relationship quality. Mentors' experiences with the program were positively associated with mentoring relationship quality, and in many cases, above and beyond youth level of risk. Finally, mentors' perception of program structure, supportive relationships, and opportunities for skill building attenuated the negative relationship between environmental, but not individual, risk and relationship quality. Mentors' experiences of program support for efficacy and mattering and opportunities to belong were not significant moderators in any model. Implications for programs and future research directions are presented.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Youth Risk and Mentoring Relationship Quality: The Moderating Effect of Program Experiences

Weiler

Boat

Haddock

2019

American J of Comm Psychol

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“…Despite the benefits of match longevity, premature match closure has been found in 30% to 50% of all formal mentoring relationships (DeWit et al., ; Kupersmidt, Stump, Stelter, & Rhodes, ) and premature closure is related to negative youth outcomes (Grossman & Rhodes, ; Herrera, Grossman, Kauh, Feldman, & McMaken, ; Spencer, ). Mentees who experience premature match closure can experience feelings of disappointment, guilt, anger, shame, and abandonment (Karcher, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Mentor characteristics such as age, work experience in a helping profession, marital status, and level of income have been shown to predict premature closure (DuBois, Holloway, Valentine, & Cooper, ; Grossman & Rhodes, ; Kupersmidt, Stump, et al., ). In addition, mentors with extremely high positive expectations can experience feelings of discouragement and frustration when they perceive a lack of improvement in their mentees or their mentoring relationships, which may result in their ending the mentoring relationship abruptly or prematurely (Madia & Lutz, ; Spencer, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does having a similar disability matter for match outcomes?: A randomized study of matching mentors and mentees by visual impairment

Heppe

Kupersmidt

Kef

et al. 2018

Journal Community Psychology

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Mentoring is modestly effective for youth with a chronic illness or physical disability; however, program effectiveness may be enhanced when mentors and mentees are matched on shared interests and experiences. To test this hypothesis, mentees were randomly assigned to having a mentor with or without visual impairment (VI). Results showed that mentors without VI were younger and more likely to work or be educated in a helping profession and less likely to have a fixed mindset and extremely high positive expectations than mentors with VI. The main analyses on match outcomes showed that mentors with VI had significantly fewer and shorter match meetings, had a weaker relationship with their mentees, and were more likely to end their match prematurely. Mentor age, helping profession background, and fixed mindset were confounds in several analyses and reduced the significance of the relationship between VI group and match meeting quantity. The only relationship that remained significant controlling for covariates showed that matches including a mentor with VI were significantly more likely to end in premature closure than matches including a mentor without VI. Implications of the findings for future research and program practices related to matching were discussed.

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“…There are several ways in which a close and supportive mentoring relationship may affect maltreated children's coping. Although several studies have found that family risk factors including placement in foster care and poor relationships with parents are associated with early termination of mentoring relationships (DeWit et al., ; Kupersmidt, Stump, Stelter & Rhodes, ; Raposa, Rhodes & Herrera, ), it is hypothesized that the close, relational bond formed between a mentor and child may act as a corrective attachment experience (Rhodes, Grossman & Resch, ; Rhodes, Reddy, Roffman & Grossman, ; Spencer, ). Arguably, if a child who has experienced maltreatment is able to form a high‐quality relationship with their mentor, this relationship may buffer the negative effects of a poor relationship with the biological parent on child coping.…”

Section: Engagement and Disengagement Copingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mentoring Relationship Quality and Maltreated Children's Coping

Chesmore

Weiler

Taussig

2017

American J of Comm Psychol

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Coping strategies are believed to protect against the harmful effects of maltreatment on children's psychosocial outcomes. Caregivers are thought to be critical in helping children develop adaptive coping strategies, yet many maltreated children have poor and/or insecure relationships with their parents. A quality relationship with a caring, non-parental adult (e.g., a mentor), however, may be one strategy to promote healthy coping among maltreated children. Children (N = 154) in this study participated in a mentoring and skill-based program for maltreated preadolescents placed in foster care. Hierarchical regression was used to assess the association between children's reports of their relationship with their mentor at the end of the intervention and four coping strategies (i.e., Active, Support-seeking, Avoidance, and Distraction) 6 months following the intervention, while accounting for baseline coping strategies and other demographic factors. Above and beyond the covariates, better mentoring relationship quality was associated with children's greater use of Active and Distraction coping 6-month post-intervention. Mentoring relationship quality was not significantly associated with children's Avoidance or Support-seeking coping. The findings suggest that mentoring programs may be a fruitful approach to improving vulnerable children's coping skills. Healthy coping is hypothesized to protect against the harmful effects of maltreatment and to promote resilience in the face of multiple stressors (Banyard & Williams, ; Boxer & Sloan-Power, 2013; Cicchetti & Rogosch, 2009). It remains unclear, however, how best to promote positive coping among maltreated children, who are disproportionately exposed to numerous adverse childhood experiences (Raviv, Taussig, Culhane & Garrido, 2010). Theories of coping emphasize the importance of coping socialization through quality parent-child relationships (Kliewer et al., 2006; Skinner & Wellborn, ). Unfortunately, many maltreated children are exposed to poor quality and/or inadequate caregiving (Baer & Martinez, 2006), which may place them at risk for engaging in unhealthy or inappropriate forms of coping. It is reasonable to expect that positive relationships with other non-parental adults (e.g., mentors) would affect coping behaviors given the positive impact that quality relationships have on a myriad of emotional and behavioral child outcomes (DuBois, Portillo, Rhodes, Silverthorn & Valentine, 2011; Keller & Pryce, 2012; Thomson & Zand, ). Because children in foster care often transition in and out of schools and home environments, a quality relationship with a mentor (a consistent presence in the child's life) may be well suited to promote healthy coping strategies.

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Predictors of Premature Match Closure in Youth Mentoring Relationships

Cited by 52 publications

References 36 publications

Youth Risk and Mentoring Relationship Quality: The Moderating Effect of Program Experiences

Youth Risk and Mentoring Relationship Quality: The Moderating Effect of Program Experiences

Does having a similar disability matter for match outcomes?: A randomized study of matching mentors and mentees by visual impairment

Mentoring Relationship Quality and Maltreated Children's Coping

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