A First Look at Natural Mentoring Among Preadolescent Foster Children

This study describes natural mentoring among preadolescent children recently placed in out-of-home care, and examines whether having a natural mentor is associated with demographic, maltreatment, placement, and psychosocial characteristics. Cross-sectional data from a representative sample of 263 children and their out-of-home caregivers were analyzed. Caregivers rated children's social skills, and children reported on their perceived opportunities, and attachment to peers and adults, including natural mentors. About half the sample endorsed having a natural mentor, with school personnel (teachers, coaches) being the most common type of natural mentor endorsed. Children with a natural mentor were older, more likely to be living in a congregate care setting, and had stronger attachment to friends compared to those without a natural mentor. Marginally significant findings suggested that children with a natural mentor had been in out-of-home care for fewer months than those without a natural mentor, and that children who were sexually abused were less likely to have a natural mentor with whom they had current contact. Future research is needed that examines both the longitudinal course of natural mentoring among this population and additional outcomes of interest. This is the first study on natural mentoring that examines these relationships among preadolescent foster children.