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Do program practices matter for mentors?: How implementation of empirically supported program practices is associated
Thomas E Keller1, Alison L Drew2, Carla Herrera3
1Portland State University School of Social Work, Portland, Oregon, USA.
Formal youth mentoring programs with strong practices foster better mentor-youth relationships. The mentor-staff working alliance is key, mediating these positive outcomes for youth development.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Program Evaluation
- Organizational Behavior
Background:
- Formal youth mentoring programs aim to enhance youth development.
- The quality of the mentoring relationship is crucial for positive youth outcomes.
- Program-level practices may influence relationship quality, but mechanisms are unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between program-level practices and youth mentoring relationship quality.
- To investigate the mediating role of the mentor-staff working alliance in this association.
- To compare mentor- and staff-reported program practices' effects.
Main Methods:
- Multilevel path modeling was used with data from 542 mentors across 55 programs.
- Data on program practices were collected from both mentors and staff (n=219).
- Hypothesized direct and mediated effects on relationship quality were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Greater exposure to program practices correlated with higher relationship satisfaction, commitment, and security.
- Program practices were linked to lower mentor-youth relationship negativity.
- The mentor-staff working alliance partially or fully mediated the effects of mentor-reported practices.
- Staff-reported practices predicted relationship satisfaction and commitment directly, without mediation.
Conclusions:
- Program-level practices are vital for cultivating stronger, more positive youth mentoring relationships.
- The mentor-staff working alliance plays a significant role in supporting these positive relationships.
- Findings underscore the importance of both program structure and interpersonal dynamics.
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