Mentoring is not magic

The role of riskCarla HerreraDavid DuBoisJean Grossman

1Study frameworkThe study addressed 4 questions:Can mentoring programs reach higher-risk youth? Does match quality differ depending on youth risk?Do the effects of mentoring vary with youths risk profile? What practices are needed to ensure effectiveness? Partnership between Washington State Mentors, P/PV & David DuBois2Design7 agencies5 BBBS1 targeting higher-risk youth1 university-based2 study componentsRandom assignment (2 agencies)Quasi-experimental (all 7 agencies)3The youth & their mentors1,310 Youth 53% boys43% white11.39 years old915 Mentors48% male82% white23% students

4Defining riskENVIRONMENTAL RISKEconomic AdversityGangs/drugs in neighborhood;Low income.Family Risk/StressChild in foster care; Incarcerated parent/relative; Single-parent; Recent homelessness.Peer Difficulties Lack of any close friends;Being bullied.

INDIVIDUAL RISKAcademic ChallengesFailing two or more classes;Frequent school absences. Problem BehaviorDrug/alcohol use; Multiple school suspensions;Police contact;Bullies others.Mental Health ConcernsDepressive symptoms; Mental health issues.

5Who were the youth? ChallengeStudy YouthYouth Nationally BBBSALive in single-parent household66%34% 71%Annual income below $20,000 43% 22% Free or reduced price lunch77%28%61%Extreme poverty (income $10,000 or less) 23% 10%Homeless in the last five years15%2%Close family member incarcerated or having frequent problems with law24%4%23%School suspension 2+ times in the last year12%7%Juvenile hall/police contact in the last year6%3%In foster care4%0.5%1%Serious signs of depression22%6%6

7Who were the volunteers?Many were experienced:40% past professional experience with youth26% previously mentoredMany had worked with youth facing challengesBUT32% had no past experience with at-risk youth 40% had no personal experience with these risk factors8What kind of relationships developed?Fairly high-quality relationshipsAt 13 months: AML= 9.6 mos; 9 mos for first match32% up to 6 months26% 6-12 months42% over 12 monthsNo major differences across risk groups for quality or length

9Mentor expectationsExpectations and Challenges OverallAssociation with riskMentor expectations were not correct aboutThe mentees needs24% HH > High EnvThe mentees familys needs39% High Env > LLThe time commitment required to develop a strong relationship24%LL > High Env10What challenges did mentors experience?Challenges OverallRisk Differences?ConnectingConversations44% LL, HH > H env Engaging mentee 41%NoDifferences in interests/personalities28% NoBridging differencesBridging racial/cultural differences 15% NoBridging economic differences21% HH>LLYouths family and meetingsGetting together (transportation, scheduling)48% NoMentees preparation for meetings , canceling27%HH, H env > LLSupport from mentees family27%HH, H env > LLMentees family asking for too much help12%HH, H env > LLMentors personal situation 66% NoManaging mentees behavior24%HH, H ind > LL11Why did the matches end?Closure ReasonsOverallRisk Differences?Lack of youth interest 33%LL > H Env; H IndMentors schedule28%NoYouth didnt need a mentor17%Low Env > HHYouths family unsupportive17%NoDifference in interests/personalities14%HH > L indYouth is moving13%NoYouth needs were too severe10%HH > LLLack of staff support3%--Difficulty bridging cultural differencesLLYouths emotional issues51%H Ind > LL;HH > L IndYouths social issues50%H Ind > LL;HH > L IndYouths behavioral issues47%HH > L IndInteracting with youth of different ages43%NoWorking with higher-risk youth42%HH > LLComfort with youths SES and culture38%No Navigating social service systems24%HH > H Env13How did youth benefit?OutcomeRandom Assignment Quasi-experimentalDepressive symptomsParent trust Social acceptance Self-perceptions of academic abilities Grades Skipping school Misconduct Prosocial behavior Number of outcomes: positive change Number of outcomes: negative change 14Did youth risk affect program benefits?Not as much as you might expect!Evidence of benefits for all four groups in at least one areaSimilar benefits across groupsButYouth high in only individual risk seemed to reap the strongest/most consistent benefits

15How were practices linked with match success?Supports Links with meeting frequency?Links with 12+ month match?Links with relationship quality?MENTOR: Early-match training MENTOR: Ongoing trainingMENTOR: Regular match supportYOUTH:Regular match supportPARENT:Regular match support16What can we say about the four risk profiles?Higher Individual RiskLower Individual RiskHigher Environ-mental RiskMentorsMost likely to mentor againExpectationsYouth needsTraining/Support--More consistent support and ongoing training--More training needs in:Interacting with familySocial servicesYouths emotional needsYouths social needsYouths behaviorHigh-risk youthMeetingsMore youth cancellationsMore character/behavior change activitiesMore growth/goal focusChallengesConversationsYouths prep for meetingsSupport from familyFamily asks for too muchManaging behavioral problemsBridging economicsClosuresYouth needs were too severeDifferences in interests/personalitiesExpectationsFamilys needsMeetings More cancellationsTraining/Support--More likely to get ongoing trainingChallengesPreparation for mtgsFamily supportFamily asks for too much

Lower Environ-mental RiskMentorsMore mentoring experienceMatch lengthLess rematchingTraining/Support--More frequent support--Longer support calls--More likely to get early training Youths emotional needsYouths social needsChallengesManaging behavior problemsClosuresMore program instigatedYouth didnt seem to need a mentorBenefitsRelatively large benefitsExpectationsTime commitmentChallengesConversationsClosureLack of youth interestYouth didnt seem to need a mentorBenefitsRelatively small benefits17Implications: Youth Pre-assessmentRiskProgram interestDepressionFamily support18Implications: Mentor screeningWho do they envision working with?What do they think the programs/their role is?What do they want to achieve with their mentee?

19Implications: Mentor Training and SupportPovertyDepressionDeveloping a relationship with youths familySpecific challenges facing their mentee20Thank you!21Environmental RiskEconomic AdversityLives in public housing;Lack of housing stability;Difficulty paying bills; Gangs/drugs in neighborhood;No working parents;Low income.Family StressChild in the foster care system; A sibling in foster care; An incarcerated parent/relative; Family drug/alcohol problems; Single-parent; Unstable living situation; Recent parent separation; Frequent fights in home; Recent death of someone close to child;Recent homelessness; Parent has less than high school education.

Peer Difficulties Lack of any close friends;Being bullied.Individual Risk Academic ChallengesFailing two or more classes;Condition interfering with school; Missing school 3+ times a month; ESL.Problem BehaviorDrug/alcohol use; School suspensions;Juvenile hall;Ran away from home;Gang involvement;Bullies others.Mental Health ConcernsExhibiting depressive symptoms; Diagnosed with mental health problem.

22Low Individual RiskHigh Individual Risk

Low Environmental Risk

High Environmental Risk