Practice Goals/Practice Components
Youth mentoring is defined as a “consistent, prosocial relationship between an adult or older peer and one or more youth[s]” (OJJDP N.d.). The goal of mentoring is to reduce risk factors for later problem behaviors (such as delinquency) and to enhance protective factors of at-risk youth.
Formal mentoring generally involves matching a volunteer or paid mentor with an at-risk youth mentee, whereas informal mentoring (also known as natural mentoring) happens when an at-risk youth has an ongoing relationship with an adult or older peer that may come from a youth’s extended family or from nonrelated individuals, such as neighbors, teachers, or coaches (Schwartz et al. 2013). Natural mentoring relationships tend to occur through organic social connections, rather than through formal mentoring programs that match mentors with mentees (van Dam et al. 2021).
Youth-initiated mentoring involves a hybrid approach in which youths are empowered to identify and recruit natural mentors from their existing social networks. Youth-initiated mentoring can include a variety of program models, but they all involve supporting a youth to identify, develop, and strengthen natural mentoring relationships, rather than assigning them a new mentor through a more formal mentoring relationship. Youth-initiated mentoring also attempts to overcome some limitations of formal mentoring, such as long waitlists for mentees (due to a lack of volunteer mentors) and high attrition rates of mentors (Kupersmidt et al. 2017).
Practice Theory
Numerous theoretical frameworks underly youth mentoring, including attachment theory, social support theory, and resiliency theory. Attachment theory focuses on bonds or attachments that youths make and how those attachments can affect factors such as future relationships and level of trust or closeness that youths may experience later on (Bowlby 1969). Social support theory focuses on the importance of secure attachments for youth, which can begin as early as infancy and early childhood and affect later perceived social support by adults (Heaney and Israel 2002). Finally, resilience theory suggests that protective factors in a youth’s life can buffer against the consequences of risks factors (Hawkins et al. 2000). A supportive adult mentor can serve as a protective resource for a youth and provide important guidance and reinforcement that can help them overcome risk factors (DSG 2019). All these theories support the importance of developing a meaningful, healthy relationship between a caring and supportive adult mentor and an at-risk youth.
