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01-04-2017 | Original Paper

Mentoring Relationships and the Mental Health of Aboriginal Youth in Canada

Authors: David J. DeWit, Samantha Wells, Tara Elton-Marshall, Julie George

Published in: Journal of Prevention | Issue 1-2/2017

Abstract

We compared the mentoring experiences and mental health and behavioral outcomes associated with program-supported mentoring for 125 Aboriginal (AB) and 734 non-Aboriginal (non-AB) youth ages 6–17 participating in a national survey of Big Brothers Big Sisters community mentoring relationships. Parents or guardians reported on youth mental health and other outcomes at baseline (before youth were paired to a mentor) and at 18 months follow-up. We found that AB youth were significantly less likely than non-AB youth to be in a long-term continuous mentoring relationship. However, AB youth were more likely than non-AB youth to be in a long-term relationship ending in dissolution. AB youth were also more likely than non-AB youth to have been mentored by a female adult. AB youth were significantly more likely than non-AB youth to report a high quality mentoring relationship, regular weekly contact with their mentor, and monthly mentoring activities. Structural equation model results revealed that, relative to non-mentored AB youth, AB youth with mentors experienced significantly fewer emotional problems and symptoms of social anxiety. These relationships were not found for non-AB youth. Our findings suggest that mentoring programs may be an effective intervention for improving the health and well-being of AB youth.

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Title: Mentoring Relationships and the Mental Health of Aboriginal Youth in Canada
Authors: David J. DeWit
Samantha Wells
Tara Elton-Marshall
Julie George
Publication date: 01-04-2017
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Prevention / Issue 1-2/2017
Print ISSN: 2731-5533
Electronic ISSN: 2731-5541
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10935-016-0441-8

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