Research - Positive Impact of Adult Mentoring

1. Raposa et al. (2019)

The Effects of Youth Mentoring Programs: A Meta-analysis of Outcome Studies

• PubMed (abstract): PubMed abstract

• Springer (journal article): Journal of Youth and Adolescence (Springer)

• Open-access university repository: University of Amsterdam open repository

This is the most comprehensive meta-analysis of one-on-one youth mentoring published to date, reviewing 70 studies involving more than 25,000 youth.

2. Thomas, Lorenzetti & Spragins (2022)

Mentoring Adolescents to Prevent Drug and Alcohol Use (Cochrane Review)

• Cochrane Review: Cochrane Database review

• PubMed abstract: PubMed abstract

This systematic review found evidence that formal mentoring programs reduced the initiation of alcohol use and, in some studies, illicit drug use among adolescents.

3. DuBois et al. (2002)

Effectiveness of Mentoring Programs for Youth: A Meta-Analytic Review

• PubMed abstract: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12002242/

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1014628810714

This landmark meta-analysis reviewed 55 mentoring evaluations and demonstrated that mentoring improves behavioral, social, emotional, and academic outcomes, particularly when programs emphasize strong relationships, mentor training, and family involvement.