Improving Relationship Outcomes Using Additional Training and Enhanced Match Support for Mentors, Final Report

• NCJ Number: 247312
• Author(s): Matthew Courser, Ph.D.; Stephen Shamblen, Ph.D.; Kirsten T. Thompson, M.A.; Linda Young, M.A.; Stacey Hamilton-Nance, M.A.; Melissa Hutchins, B.A.; Matisa Wilbon, Ph.D.
• Date Published: July 2014
• Length: 161 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2011-JU-FX-0013
• Sponsoring Agency: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP)
• Corporate Author: Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE); Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana
• Sale Source: NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Document (Online)
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical); Report (Study/Research); Report (Grant Sponsored); Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: For the Executive Summary see NCJ-247313

Annotation

This study assessed whether a structured intervention composed of additional training after the establishment of an adult-youth mentoring relationship and improved support for mentors could extend the length of the mentoring relationship, increase youth and mentor ratings of the strength of the mentoring relationship, and enhance youth behavior and attitudinal outcomes.

Abstract

The assessment found that participation in post-pairing training and mentor support had a beneficial effect on the length of the mentoring relationship and reducing the likelihood of closure. On the other hand, the evaluation did not find consistent effects of the intervention on the strength of the mentor and youth ratings of the relationship or on youth behaviors and attitudes. Only 56 percent of the participants in the intervention attended at least one additional post-pairing training session, suggesting that motivating mentors to attend such interventions is a challenge. The evaluation used an experimental research design in which volunteer mentors were randomly assigned to receive standard training and support offered by the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana or receive additional training and enhanced support for the mentoring relationship; in addition to the standard training. Relevant evaluation data were collected from youth and mentors at the initiation of the pairing and 12 months later. 14 tables, 4 charts, and 1 figure