Top

Published in:

01-08-2014 | Original Paper

Attachment Security, the Quality of the Mentoring Relationship and Protégés’ Adjustment

Authors: Limor Goldner, Miri Scharf

Published in: Journal of Prevention | Issue 4/2014

Abstract

Associations among protégés’ attachment orientations, the quality of their mentoring relationships, and mentoring outcomes were explored within the context of an Israeli national community-based mentoring program (Perach) comprising 167 protégés (47 % females, mean age 9.6). Contrary to expectations, we did not find a correlation between protégés’ level of attachment security and the quality of their mentoring relationship. However, the findings indicated associations between a positive mentoring relationship and protégés’ adjustment at the end of mentoring. Moreover, protégés’ attachment security moderated the associations between the quality of their mentoring relationships and their adjustment at the end of mentoring. Among secure protégés, a positive mentoring relationship was more positively associated with general self-concept than among insecure protégés. Although insecure protégés’ positive mentoring relationships were negatively associated with loneliness at the end of mentoring, these relationships were positively associated among insecure individuals. The theoretical and practical implications for mentoring interventions are discussed.

Asher, S. R., & Wheeler, V. A. (1985). Children’s loneliness: A comparison of rejected and neglected peer status. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 53, 500–505. doi:10.1037/0022-006X.53.4.500.PubMedCrossRef

August, G., Realmuto, G., Hektner, M., & Bloomquist, M. (2001). An integrated components preventive intervention for aggressive elementary children: The early risers program. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 69, 614–626. doi:10.1037/0022-006X.69.4.614.PubMedCrossRef

Bakker, J. A., Grant, S., & Morlock, L. (2008). The teacher-student relationship as a developmental context for children with internalizing or externalizing behavior problems. School Psychology Quarterly, 23, 3–15. doi:10.1037/1045-3830.23.1.3.CrossRef

Bauminger, N., & Kimhi-Kind, I. (2008). Social information processing, security of attachment, and emotion regulation in children with learning disabilities. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 41, 315–332. doi:10.1177/0022219408316095.PubMedCrossRef

Bell, D. C., & Richards, A. J. (2002). Caregiving: The forgotten element in attachment. Psychological Inquiry, 11, 69–83. doi:10.1207/S15327965PLI1102_01.CrossRef

Belsky, J., & Cassidy, J. (1994). Attachment: Theory and evidence. In M. Rutter & D. Hay (Eds.), Development through life: A handbook for clinicians (pp. 373–402). Oxford: Blackwell.

Bernier, A., & Dozier, M. (2002). The client—counselor match and the corrective emotional experience: Evidence from interpersonal and attachment research. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 39, 32–43. doi:10.1037/0033-3204.39.1.32.CrossRef

Bowlby, J. (1980). Attachment and loss. Vol. 3: Loss, sadness and depression. New York: Basic Books.

Bretherton, I., & Munholland, K. A. (2008). Internal working models in attachment relationships: Elaborating a central concept in attachment theory. In J. Cassidy & P. R. Shaver (Eds.), Handbook of attachment: Theory, research and clinical applications (2nd ed., pp. 102–129). New York: Guilford Press.

Cavell, T. A., Elldege, C., Malcolm, K. T., Faith, M. A., & Hughes, J. N. (2009). Relationship quality and the mentoring aggressive, high-risk children. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 38, 185–198. doi:10.1080/15374410802698420.CrossRef

Cavell, T. A., & Hughes, J. N. (2000). Secondary prevention as context for assessing change processes in aggressive children. Journal of School Psychology, 38, 199–235. doi:10.1016/S0022-4405(99)00040-0.CrossRef

Cavell, T. A., Meehan, B. T., Heffer, R. W., & Holladay, J. J. (2002). The natural mentors of adolescent children of alcoholics (COAs): Implication for preventive practices. The Journal of Primary Prevention, 23, 23–42. doi:10.1016/S0022-4405(99)00040-0.CrossRef

Clarkin, J. F., & Levy, K. N. (2004). The influence of client variables on psychotherapy. In M. J. Lambert (Ed.), Bergin & Garfield’s handbook of psychotherapy and behavior change (pp. 194–225). New York: Wiley.

Crowell, J. A., Treboux, D., & Waters, E. (1999). The adult attachment interview and the relationship questionnaire: Relations to reports of mothers and partners. Personal Relationships, 6, 1–18. doi:10.1111/j.1475-6811.1999.tb00208.x.CrossRef

de Tormes Eby, L. T., Allen, T. D., Hoffman, B. J., Baranik, L. E., Sauer, J. B., Baldwin, S., et al. (2012). An interdisciplinary meta-analysis of the potential antecedents, correlates, and consequences of protégé perceptions of mentoring. Psychological Bulletin (on line publication),. doi:10.1037/a0029279.

Diener, M. J., & Monroe, J. M. (2011). The relationship between adult attachment style and therapeutic alliance in individual psychotherapy: A meta-analytic review. Psychotherapy, 48, 237–248. doi:10.1037/a0022425.PubMedCrossRef

DuBois, D. L., Holloway, B. E., Valentine, J., & Cooper, H. (2002). Effectiveness of mentoring programs for youth: A meta-analytic review. American Journal of Community Psychology, 30, 157–197. doi:10.1023/A:1014628810714.PubMedCrossRef

DuBois, D. L., Portillo, N., Rhodes, J. E., Silverthorn, N., & Valentine, J. C. (2011). How effective are mentoring programs for youth? A systematic assessment of the evidence. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 12, 57–91. doi:10.1177/1529100611414806.CrossRef

DuBois, D. L., & Rhodes, J. E. (2006). Introduction to the special issue; Youth mentoring: Bridging science with practice. Journal of Community Psychology, 34, 647–655. doi:10.1002/jcop.20121.CrossRef

Eby, L. T., Allen, T. D., Evans, S. C., Ng, T., & DuBois, D. L. (2008). Does mentoring matter? A multidisciplinary meta-analysis comparing mentored and non-mentored individuals. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 72, 254–267. doi:10.1016/j.jvb.2007.04.005.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef

Epstein, S. (1983). The mother- father: Peer scale. Unpublished manuscript, University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Georgiou, S. N., Demetriou, A. P., & Stavrinides, P. (2008). Attachment style and mentoring relationships in adolescence. Educational Psychology, 28, 603–614. doi:10.1080/01443410801982517.CrossRef

Glazebrook, C., Hollis, C., Heussler, E., Goodmans, R., & Coates, L. (2003). Detecting emotional and behavioral problems in pediatric clinics. Child: Care, Health and Development, 29, 141–149. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2214.2003.00324.x.

Goldner, L., & Mayseless, O. (2009). The quality of mentoring relationships and mentoring success. Journal of Youth & Adolescents., 38, 1339–1350. doi:10.1007/s10964-008-9345-0.CrossRef

Goldner, L., & Scharf, M. (2013). International and cross cultural aspects in youth mentoring. In D. L. DuBois & M. J. Karcher (Eds.), The handbook of youth mentoring (2nd ed., pp. 189–199). California: Sage publications.

Goldstein, L. S., & Lake, V. E. (2000). “Love, love and more love for children”: Exploring perceived teachers’ understanding of caring. Teaching and Teacher Education, 16, 861–872. doi:10.1016/S0742-051X(00)00031-7.CrossRef

Goodman, R. (1997). The strengths and difficulties questionnaire: A research note. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and Applied Disciplines, 38, 581–586. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.1997.tb01545.x.CrossRef

Goodman, R. (2001). Psychometric properties of the strengths and difficulties questionnaire. Journal of American Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 40, 1337–1345. doi:10.1097/00004583-200111000-00015.CrossRef

Goodman, R., & Scott, S. (1999). Comparing the strengths and difficulties questionnaire and the child behavior checklist: Is small beautiful? Journal of Abnormal Child Psychiatry, 27, 17–24. doi:10.1007/s007870070030.CrossRef

Granot, D., & Mayseless, O. (2001). Attachment security and adjustment to school in middle childhood. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 25, 530–541. doi:10.1080/01650250042000366.CrossRef

Grossman, J. B., & Rhodes, J. E. (2002). The test of time: Predictors and effect of duration in youth mentoring relationships. American Journal of Community Psychology, 30, 199–219. doi:10.1023/A:1014680827552.PubMedCrossRef

Hamre, B. K., & Pianta, R. C. (2001). Early teacher-child relationships and the trajectory of children’s school outcomes through eighth grade. Child Development, 72, 625–638. doi:10.1111/1467-8624.00301.PubMedCrossRef

Hamre, B. K., & Pianta, R. C. (2007). Learning opportunities in preschool and early elementary classroom. In R. C. Pianta, M. J. Cox, & K. Snow (Eds.), The new American elementary school (pp. 49–84). Baltimore: Paul H Brookes.

Harter, S. (1985). Supplementary description of the self-perception for children revision of the perceived competence scale for children. Unpublished manuscript. University of Denver.

Jolliffe, D., & Farington, D. P. (2007). A rapid evidence assessment of the impact of mentoring on re-offending: A summary. Cambridge University: Home Office Online Report 11/07.

Karcher, M. J., Nakkula, M. J., & Harris, J. H. (2005). Developmental mentoring match characteristics: Correspondence between mentors’ and mentees’ assessment of relationship quality. The Journal of Primary Prevention, 26, 93–110. doi:10.1007/s10935-005-1847-x.PubMedCrossRef

Keller, T. E. (2005). A systemic model of the youth mentoring intervention. The Journal of Primary Prevention, 26, 169–188. doi:10.1007/s10935-005-1850-2.PubMedCrossRef

Keller, T. E., & Blakeslee, J. E. (2013). Social networks and mentoring. In D. L. DuBois & M. J. Karcher (Eds.), The handbook of youth mentoring (2nd ed., pp. 129–142). California: Sage publications.

Keller, T. E., & Pryce, J. M. (2012). Different roles and different results: How activity orientations correspond to relationship quality and student outcomes in school-based mentoring. Journal of Primary Prevention, 33, 47–64. doi:10.1007/s10935-012-0264-1.PubMedCrossRef

Kerns, K. A., Aspelmeier, J. E., Gentzler, A. L., & Grabill, C. M. (2001). Parent–child attachment and monitoring in middle childhood. Journal of Family Psychology, 15, 69–81. doi:10.1037/0893-3200.15.1.69.PubMedCrossRef

Kerns, K. A., Klepac, L., & Cole, A. (1996). Peer relationship and preadolescents’ perceptions of security in child mother relationship. Developmental Psychology, 32, 457–466. doi:10.1037/0012-1649.32.3.457.CrossRef

Kochanska, G., Aksan, N., Knaack, A., & Rhines, H. M. (2004). Maternal parenting and children’s conscience: Early security as moderator. Child Development, 75, 1229–1242.PubMedCrossRef

Kovacs, M. (1985). The children’s depression inventory: A self- rating depression scale for school—aged youngsters. Unpublished manuscript. New York: North Tonawanda.

Langhout, R. D., Rhodes, J. E., & Osborne, L. N. (2004). An exploratory study of youth mentoring in an urban context: Adolescents’ perceptions of relationship styles. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 33, 293–306. doi:10.1023/B:JOYO.0000032638.85483.44.CrossRef

Larose, S., Bernier, A., & Soucy, N. (2005). Attachment as a moderator of the effect of security in mentoring on subsequent perceptions of mentoring and relationship quality with college teachers. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 22, 399–415. doi:10.1177/0265407505052443.CrossRef

Liang, B., Spencer, R., Brogan, D., & Corral, M. (2008). Mentoring relationships from early adolescence through emerging adulthood: A qualitative analysis. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 72, 168–182. doi:10.1016/j.jvb.2007.11.005.CrossRef

Luthar, S. S. (2006). Resilience in development: A synthesis of research across five decades. In D. Cicchetti & D. J. Cohen (Eds.), Developmental psychopathology, volume 3: Risk, disorder, and adaptation (2nd ed., pp. 739–795). New Jersey: Wiley.

Mallinckrodt, B. (2000). Attachment, social competencies, social support, and interpersonal process in psychotherapy. Psychotherapy Research, 10, 239–266. doi:10.1093/ptr/10.3.239.CrossRef

Masten, A. (2001). Ordinary magic: Resilience processes in development. American Psychologist, 56, 227–238.PubMedCrossRef

Masten, A., Burt, K., & Coatsworth, J. (2006). Competence and psychopathology in development. In D. Cicchetti & D. J. Cohen (Eds.), Developmental psychopathology, volume 3: Risk, disorder, and adaptation (2nd ed., pp. 696–738). New Jersey: Wiley.

Parker, J. G., & Asher, R. S. (1993). Friendship and friendship quality in middle childhood: Links with peer group acceptance and feelings of loneliness and social dissatisfaction. Developmental Psychology, 29, 611–621. doi:10.1037/0012-1649.29.4.611.CrossRef

Parra, G. R., DuBois, D. L., Neville, H. A., Pugh-Lilly, A., & Povinelli, N. (2002). Mentoring relationships for youth: Investigation of a process: Oriented model. Journal of Community Psychology, 30, 367–388. doi:10.1002/jcop.10016.CrossRef

Rhodes, J. E. (1994). Older and wiser: Mentoring relationships in childhood and adolescence. The Journal of Primary Prevention, 14, 187–195. doi:10.1007/BF01324592.PubMedCrossRef

Rhodes, J. E. (2002). Stand by me: The risk and rewards of mentoring today’s youth. Cambridge: Harvard University.

Rhodes, J. E., & DuBois, D. L. (2008). Understanding and facilitating the youth mentoring movement. Social Policy Report, 20, 3–19.

Rhodes, J. E., & Lowe, S. R. (2008). Youth mentoring and resilience: Implications for practice. Child Care in Practice, 14, 9–17. doi:10.1080/13575270701733666.CrossRef

Rhodes, J., Lowe, S. R., Litchfield, L., & Walsh-Samp, K. (2008). The role of gender in youth mentoring relationship formation and duration. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 72, 183–192. doi:10.1016/j.jvb.2007.09.005.CrossRef

Rhodes, J., Reddy, R., Roffman, J., & Grossman, J. B. (2005). Promoting successful youth mentoring relationships: A preliminary screening questionnaire. The Journal of Primary Prevention, 26, 147–201. doi:10.1007/s10935-005-1849-8.PubMedCrossRef

Rhodes, J. E., Spencer, R., Keller, T. M., Liang, B., & Noam, G. (2006). A model for the influence of mentoring relationships on youth development. Journal of community psychology, 34, 691–707. doi:10.1002/jcop.20124.CrossRef

Ricks, M. H. (1985). The social transmission of parental behavior: Attachment across generations. Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development, 50 (1-2, Serial No. 209), 211-227. Retrieved from: http://www.jstor.org/stable/3333834.

Romano, V., Fitzpatrick, M., & Janzen, J. (2008). The secure—base hypothesis: Global attachment, attachment to counselor, and session exploration in psychotherapy. Journal in Counseling Psychology, 55, 495–504. doi:10.1037/a0013721.CrossRef

Sauer, E. M., Lopez, F. G., & Gormley, B. A. (2003). Respective contributions of therapist and client adult attachment orientations to the development of the early working alliance: A preliminary growth modeling study. Psychotherapy Research, 13, 371–382. doi:10.1093/ptr/kpg027.PubMedCrossRef

Scharf, M. (2013). Children’s social competence within close friendship: The role of self-perception and attachment orientations. School Psychology International,. doi:10.1177/0143034312474377.

Scharf, M., Mayseless, O., & Kivenson-Baron, I. (2004). Adolescents’ attachment representations and developmental tasks in emerging adulthood. Developmental Psychology, 3, 430–444.CrossRef

Schwartz, S. E. O., Rhodes, J. E., Chan, C. S., & Herrera, C. (2011). The impact of school-based mentoring on youths with different relational profiles. Developmental Psychology, 47(2), 450–462. doi:10.1037/a0021379.PubMedCrossRef

Shapiro, D. R., Moffett, A., Lieberman, L., & Dummer, G. M. (2005). Perceived competence of children with visual impairments. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 99, 15–25.

Soucy, N., & Larose, S. (2000). Attachment and control in family and mentoring contexts as determinants of adolescent adjustment to college: Attachment and adjustment. Journal of Family Psychology, 14, 125–143.PubMedCrossRef

Spencer, R., & Liang, B. (2009). “She gives me a break from the world”: Formal youth mentoring relationships between adolescent girls and adult Women. Journal of primary prevention, 30, 109–130. doi:10.1007/s10935-009-0172-1.PubMedCrossRef

Stone, L. L., Otten, R., Engels, R. C. M. E., Vermulst, A. A., & Janssens, J. M. A. M. (2010). Psychometric properties of the parent and teacher versions of the strengths and difficulties questionnaire for 4–12-year olds: A review. Clinical Child Family Psychology Review, 13, 254–274. doi:10.1007/s10567-010-0071-2.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef

Thomson, N. R., & Zand, D. H. (2010). Mentees’ perceptions of their interpersonal relationships: The role of the mentor-youth bond. Youth Society, 41, 434–445. doi:10.1177/0044118X09334806.CrossRef

Toblin, R. L., Schwartz, D., Gorman, H. A., & Abou-ezzedine, T. (2005). Social: Cognitive and behavioral attributes of aggressive victims of bullying. Applied Developmental Psychology, 26, 329–346. doi:10.1016/j.appdev.2005.02.004.CrossRef

Volkmann, B., & Bye, L. (2006). Improved school attendance through adult volunteer reading partners. Children & Schools, 28(3), 145–152. doi:10.1093/cs/28.3.145.

Zand, D. H., Thompson, N., Cervantes, R., Espritu, R., Klagholz, D., La Blanc, L., et al. (2009). The mentor–youth alliance: The role of mentoring relationships in promoting youth competence. Journal of Adolescence, 32, 1–17. doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2007.12.006.PubMedCrossRef

Zegers, M. A. M., Schuengel, C., van IJzendoorn, M. H., & Janssens, J. M. A. M. (2006). Attachment representations of institutionalized adolescents and their professional caregivers: Predicting the development of therapeutic relationships. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 76, 325–334. doi:10.1037/0002-9432.76.3.325.PubMedCrossRef

Title: Attachment Security, the Quality of the Mentoring Relationship and Protégés’ Adjustment
Authors: Limor Goldner
Miri Scharf
Publication date: 01-08-2014
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Prevention / Issue 4/2014
Print ISSN: 2731-5533
Electronic ISSN: 2731-5541
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10935-014-0349-0

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Attachment Security, the Quality of the Mentoring Relationship and Protégés’ Adjustment

Abstract

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 4/2014

Commentary—Project Towards No Drug Abuse: An Evidence-Based Drug Abuse Prevention Program

Exploring the Relationships Among Food Insecurity, Alcohol Use, and Sexual Risk Taking Among Men and Women Living in South African Townships

Preventing Adolescent Pregnancy: Biological, Social, Cultural, and Political Influences on Age at First Sexual Intercourse

Impact of Physical Activity Interventions on Anthropometric Outcomes: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Erratum to: Long-Term Protective Factor Outcomes of Evidence-based Interventions Implemented by Community Teams Through a Community–University Partnership

Improving Adolescent Social Competence and Behavior: A Randomized Trial of an 11-Week Equine Facilitated Learning Prevention Program