Sponsor
This study was supported by funding to T. E. K. from the William T. Grant Foundation (Grant #182183).
Published In
Journal of Community Psychology
Document Type
Post-Print
Publication Date
7-2020
Subjects
Problem youth, Social work with youth
Abstract
Highly committed mentors may be less likely to end their mentoring relationships with their mentees. Theory suggests commitment is predicted by relationship satisfaction, investment, and perceptions of available alternatives. Mentoring program practices may influence commitment, but little research has investigated potential mechanisms. Using data from 537 mentors representing 55 mentoring programs, this study examined a theoretical path model in which mentor perceptions of program practices, specifically setting expectations, prematch mentor training, and matching based on mentor preferences, predict mentor satisfaction, investment, perceptions of available alternatives, and ultimately, relationship commitment. As expected, commitment was associated positively with satisfaction and investment and negatively with available alternatives. Perceptions of the program setting clear expectations, the amount of prematch training, and matching by preferences predicted mentor commitment. These associations were mediated by relationship satisfaction, investment, and available alternatives, respectively. These findings identify program practices that can support mentor commitment.
Locate the Document
DOI
10.1002/jcop.22409
Persistent Identifier
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/33616
Citation Details
Published as: Drew, AL, Keller, TE, Spencer, R, Herrera, C. Investigating mentor commitment in youth mentoring relationships: The role of perceived program practices. J Community Psychol. 2020; 48: 2264: 2261– 2276. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.22409
Description
© 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC
This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: J Community Psychol. 2020; 48: 2264: 2261– 2276, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.22409. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions.