Understanding mutuality: Unpacking relational processes in youth mentoring relationships
Abstract
Evidence suggests that a close interpersonal bond is important for the success of youth–adult mentoring relationships. Mutuality has been suggested to be important for developing a close interpersonal bond (Rhodes, 2002, 2005), but mutuality remains an abstract construct, difficult to understand and cultivate. Using thematic analysis of mentor and mentee ( n = 42) interviews, we investigate how mentoring pairs reflect on mutuality. Results suggest that mutuality is understood as a combination of 2 dimensions: shared relational excitement and experiential empathy. Shared relational excitement is felt when there is a genuine desire by both the mentor and the mentee to invest in the relationship. Experiential empathy is the process through which mentors connect with, advise, and normalize the experiences of their mentees by sharing their own relevant experiences. This work has implications for mentor training, program development, and future research on youth–adult relationships.
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Studies, both empirical and those representing the voice of the child, continually indicate the importance of positive and supportive worker-child relationships.
“Studies, both empirical and those representing the voice of the child, continually indicate the importance of positive and supportive worker-child relationships (Harder, Knorth, & Kalverboer, 2013;Izzo et al., 2014;Lester, Goodloe, Johnson, & Deutsch, 2018;Moore, Moretti, & Holland, 1997).”
From AN EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAM MODEL FOR FACILITATING THERAPEUTIC RESPONSES TO PAIN-BASED BEHAVIOR IN RESIDENTIAL CARE (2019) · cites this paper as Lester, Goodloe, Johnson, & Deutsch, 2018
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Using thematic analysis in psychology
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006) · Qualitative Research in Psychology · doi:10.1191/1478088706qp063oa · Cited by 194,414 · see citing works
Effectiveness of mentoring programs for youth: A meta-analytic review
DuBois, D. L., Holloway, B. E., Valentine, J. C., & Cooper, H. (2002) · American Journal of Community Psychology · doi:10.1023/a:1014628810714 · Cited by 1,544 · see citing works
How Effective Are Mentoring Programs for Youth? A Systematic Assessment of the Evidence
DuBois, D. L., Portillo, N., Rhodes, J. E., Silverthorn, N., & Valentine, J. C. (2011) · Psychological Science in the Public Interest · doi:10.1177/1529100611414806 · Cited by 889 · see citing works
“It's Not What I Expected”: A Qualitative Study of Youth Mentoring Relationship Failures
Spencer, R. (2007) · Journal of Adolescent Research · doi:10.1177/0743558407301915 · Cited by 266 · see citing works
“Brother from another mother”: Mentoring for African-Caribbean adolescent boys
Garraway, H., & Pistrang, N. (2010) · Journal of Adolescence · doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2009.10.011 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
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Unpacking Community-Based Youth Mentoring Relationships: An Integrative Review
Goldner, L., & Ben-Eliyahu, A. (2021) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph18115666 · Cited by 48 · see citing works
Holden, M. J., & Sellers, D. (2019) · International Journal of Child, Youth and Family Studies · doi:10.18357/ijcyfs102-3201918853 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Kazlauskaite, V., Braughton, J. E., Weiler, L. M., Haddock, S., Henry, K. L., & Lucas-Thompson, R. (2020) · Children and Youth Services Review · doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105040 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
- Authors
- Lester, A. M., Goodloe, C. L., Johnson, H. E., & Deutsch, N. L.
- Affiliations
- University of Virginia (US)
- Corresponding author
- Lester, Ashlee M.
- Venue
- Journal of Community Psychology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2018-07-05
- Volume
- 47
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 147-162
- ISSN
- 0090-4392 (ISSN-L)
- 1520-6629
- OpenAlex
- W2868251804
- Cited by
- 42
- References
- 5
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 4
- FWCI
- 4.48
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Community Psychology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (2013‐JU‐FX‐0009)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mentoring and Academic Development
- Social Sciences › Safety Research › Youth Development and Social Support
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Counseling Practices and Supervision
- Keywords
- mutuality, mentoring relationships, interpersonal relationships, mentor training, relationship investment
- MeSH terms
- Mentoring, Adolescent, Adult, Empathy, Female, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Interviews as Topic, Mentors, Personal Satisfaction, Program Development
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