摘要：Objectives . We used nationally representative data to examine the impact of natural (or informal) mentoring relationships on health-related outcomes among older adolescents and young adults. Methods . We examined outcomes from Wave III of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health as a function of whether or not respondents reported a mentoring relationship. Logistic regression was used with control for demographic variables, previous level of functioning, and individual and environmental risk. Results . Respondents who reported a mentoring relationship were more likely to exhibit favorable outcomes relating to education/work (completing high school, college attendance, working ≥ 10 hours a week), reduced problem behavior (gang membership, hurting others in physical fights, risk taking), psychological well-being (heightened self-esteem, life satisfaction), and health (physical activity level, birth control use). However, effects of exposure to individual and environmental risk factors generally were larger in magnitude than protective effects associated with mentoring. Conclusions . These findings suggest a broad and multifaceted impact of mentoring relationships on adolescent health. However, mentoring relationships alone are not enough to meet the needs of at-risk youths and therefore should be incorporated into more comprehensive interventions. Recently, mentoring of youth has received a great deal of attention in terms of both public awareness and government initiatives. 1, 2 Mentoring relationships may foster positive development and health among young people through several mechanisms, including the provision of social support, role modeling, opportunities to develop new skills, and advocacy. 3– 6 Nonparent adults who function as mentors may serve as crucial educators and support figures, promoting learning and competence, providing exposure to positive social norms, increasing a sense of efficacy and mattering, and helping youth realize their full potential. 3, 5, 6 Formal mentoring programs currently are very popular; the National Mentoring Database, for example, lists more than 4500 organizations that support mentoring activities. 7 A recent meta-analysis found evidence of a significant but small overall positive effect of mentoring programs on the emotional, behavioral, and educational functioning of participating youth (Cohen d = .14). 8 Other recent reviews of the literature have reached similar conclusions. 9, 10 Many youth, however, experience natural mentoring relationships outside of formal programs with persons such as extended family members, neighbors, teachers, and coaches. 11– 20 In a recent survey of a nationally representative sample of adults, these types of naturally occurring ties accounted for approximately two-thirds (69%) of all reported mentoring relationships with youth. 21 Several considerations indicate a significant potential for natural mentoring relationships to promote positive outcomes. These relationships, for example, typically occur within a young person’s existing social network. Consequently, they may have beneficial linkages to other relationships in the youth’s network and may be maintained over a significant portion of the youth’s development. Many natural mentors, furthermore, have important roles in contexts and activities that are salient in the lives of youth (e.g., school, athletics). This may increase these mentors’ accessibility and value as sources of support, and encourage the young person’s bonding with larger groups and institutions in ways that promote favorable health outcomes. 22 Existing investigations suggest positive benefits of natural mentoring relationships on a range of health-related outcomes for youth. 12, 15, 17, 18, 20, 23 To date, however, such studies have been limited to relatively small and potentially nonrepresentative samples. Investigations also have focused primarily on younger adolescents. Older adolescents undergoing the transition to adulthood face unique challenges, including those relating to identity development and increased independence in negotiating demands in educational, work, and interpersonal domains, any of which, if not handled successfully, may impact negatively on health-related outcomes. Supportive mentoring relationships with non-parent adults during this period thus have the potential to make a key contribution to promoting outcomes important to public health goals and objectives. The impact of natural mentors on youth experiencing individual or environmental risk factors is a further concern that has received little systematic evaluation. 20 Research on formal mentoring programs suggests that the benefits of mentoring may vary depending on whether youth can be considered vulnerable because of individual or environmental risk. 8 It is important, however, to investigate whether interactions with risk status also are evident for youth experiencing natural mentoring relationships. We had 2 major goals with the present study. First, we sought to investigate the impact of natural mentoring relationships on a wide range of outcomes in several domains (i.e., education/work, problem behavior, psychological well-being, physical health). Second, we sought to examine whether the impact of natural mentoring relationships varies with exposure to either individual or environmental risk factors.
