Investigation of the Integration of Supports for Youth Thriving Into a Community-Based Mentoring Program

• NCJ Number: 251842
• Journal: Child Development Volume: 88 Issue: 5 Dated: 2017 Pages: 1480-1491
• Author(s): David L. DuBois; Thomas E. Keller
• Date Published: June 2017
• Length: 12 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2010-53295-IL-JG
• Sponsoring Agency: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP)
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical); Report (Study/Research); Report (Grant Sponsored); Program/Project Evaluation; Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A randomized control trial involving 806 youth (ages 10-16; 85.4 percent low-income households) served in U.S. Big Brothers Big Sisters affiliates investigated effects of incorporating activities to promote youth thriving into mentoring relationships over a 15-month period.

Abstract

The outcomes included support for thriving in youths' relationships with adults, youths' personal resources for thriving, and levels of problem behavior. Intent-to-treat analyses revealed no differences in outcomes based on assignment to thriving promotion or standard services. There was substantial variability in youth exposure to thriving promotion activities, primarily in association with premature endings of mentoring relationships. In path analyses, positive engagement with the activities predicted enhanced support for thriving from adults and, via this support, increased personal resources for thriving and reduced problem behavior. (Publisher abstract modified)