Are adults influenced by the experience of mentoring youth? A scoping review

Bibliographic Data

ID14601780
AuthorsAmy J Anderson (0000-0002-1067-3204, Center of Excellence in Maternal and Child Health, Division of Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health University of Illinois Chicago Chicago Illinois USA, corresponding author), David L Dubois (0000-0002-9955-7954, Center of Excellence in Maternal and Child Health, Division of Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health University of Illinois Chicago Chicago Illinois USA)
Year2023
Volume51
Issue3
Pages1032-1059
Publication date2023-04-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Community Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0090-4392 • E-ISSN: 1520-6629
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/jcop.22954
PMID36322942
OpenAlexW4308057271
LanguageEN
Citations received8
References cited87

AIMS: A relatively large body of research exists on the effectiveness of mentoring programs directed at youth and numerous syntheses of this literature have proven useful for advancing both research and practice. Less studied, but also important is the potential for adults serving in the role of mentor to young persons to be influenced by this experience. A scoping review was conducted with the aim of identifying and critically assessing major trends in the methods and findings in this literature. METHODS: Included sources were empirical studies reporting findings that address potential influences on adults (18+) serving as mentors to youth (<18) in formal programs designed for this purpose. The initial search resulted in 3155 records and 96 were included in the review. RESULTS: Approximately half of the studies (58%) focused on younger adults (ages 18-22 years old, e.g., college students) serving as mentors; only a small minority of studies focused on adults over 35 years old (10%). Most studies were qualitative (n = 54). Studies with a quantitative component (n = 18 quantitative only; n = 24 mixed methods) exhibited a significant risk of bias for inferring effects on mentors due to limitations in study design (e.g., lack of comparison group). Studies most often addressed potential outcomes for mentors in academic/career (55%) and social (45%) domains, when findings suggested possible effects on mentors, they were nearly universally in a positive direction. CONCLUSION: Existing research, although consistent with the potential for adults to benefit from the experience of mentoring youth, has insufficient rigor and representativeness to adequately address this question. Future research should utilize more rigorous quantitative designs and samples with greater representativeness of the different stages of adult development.

Medical education · Representativeness heuristic · Career Development and Diversity · Clinical Psychology · Medicine · Mentoring and Academic Development · Psychology · Social Psychology · Youth Development and Social Support

Tools

Open DOI