“Exploring Protective Factors Among Homeless Youth: The Role of Natural Mentors.” Michelle T. Dang, Katherine J. Conger, Joshua Breslau and Elizabeth Miller. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, Vol. 25, No. 3 (August 2014).
What it’s about: Researchers surveyed 197 homeless young people ages 14 to 21 from community agencies and school districts in Northern California to find out if they have adult mentors in their lives other than their parents. When youth do have “natural mentors,” the researchers wanted to know, how do those allies affect youths’ decisions about using substances, having sex and breaking the law? And, how do mentors affect the way young people view their social supports and mental health? In particular, the researchers wanted to explore the protective impact of ongoing, supportive relationships and the potential ill effects of mentors who engage in negative behaviors such as stealing and drug abuse.
Why read it: Permanent connections is one of the four outcomes promoted by the Family and Youth Services Bureau's Runaway and Homeless Youth Programs. Because many homeless youth move from place to place, structured mentoring programs may not be a good fit for them. But many youth have connections to adults who are important to them. One nationally representative study of adolescents found that 73 percent had relationships with important non-parental adults. The same young people also reported higher self-esteem, less gang involvement and increased likelihood of attending college.
[For more go to http://ncfy.acf.hhs.gov/news/2...-behaving-risky-ways]
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