Wirkungsnachweis aus der Literatur

Kurzfristig (< 1 Jahr)
Mikro (Individuum)
Psychisch & Physiologisch

emotional support provided by the mentors

psychosoziales Befinden

Emotional support, therefore, took many forms, including the mentor listening to and empathising with the young person and acting as a ‘sounding board’ for daily events and challenges. Some young people talked openly about personal issues and directly sought support in addressing them, while others may not have had personal difficulties in their lives or preferred not to discuss them. This illustrates how mentoring relationships can be used as a resource to help young people to cope in whatever way they feel comfortable. It can be considered an example of ‘optimal matching’, whereby the support offered matches the need of the intended recipient (Cutrona, 2000, Note: This is a secondary source. For more information, please check the bibliography of Dolan et al 2010). However, the closer and better established the relationship, the more comfortable the young person is likely to be in seeking the ‘optimal’ support required for their needs.

Beschreibung der Aktivität

Big Brothers Big Sisters youth mentoring programme
The core component of the programme is a "match" or friendship between an adult volunteer ("the mentor") and a young person ("the mentee"), with the pair meeting once a week for a year or more to engage in outings or activities and receive ongoing support from programme staff.
Großbritannien
BBBS: young people aged 10-18 years
interview schedules are available in appendix 1
teilnehmende Kinder und Jugendliche

Evaluierung der Aktivität

Qualitative Interviewbefragungen (persönlich)
There were 72 young people matched with a mentor as part of the randomised control trial (RCT) study (see Report 1). The research team asked BBBS project staff to identify matches that were established and that would be willing to participate in a series of interviews. A total of 21 matches agreed to participate. The research team then reviewed this sample and selected a purposive sample of 10 case studies representing a balance across characteristics of age, gender, location, family situation and reason for referral. The case studies were conducted in two phases – at the early stages of the mentoring relationship and approximately 6 months later: • The first round of interviews was undertaken with young people, parents, mentors and staff in each case between October 2008 and March 2009, when 34 interviews were completed. • The second round of interviews was conducted with each case study between May and October 2009. On this occasion, 31 interviews were completed.
October 2008-October 2009