A systemic model of the youth mentoring intervention
Abstract
Conceptual and empirical work on youth mentoring naturally tends to focus on the relationship between mentor and child. However, the parent/guardian and agency caseworker also may contribute to the success or failure of the mentoring intervention, and program effects may be partially mediated by the child's interactions with these individuals. This article presents a systemic model of mentoring depicting the interdependent network of relationships established between mentor, child, parent/guardian, and caseworker against the backdrop of agency policies and procedures. Numerous examples illustrate pathways of influence and patterns of communication in the context of this more holistic model of mentoring. Editors' Strategic Implications: Drawing upon ecological and systems theories, the author provides a promising conceptual model that focuses on patterns of interpersonal exchange among several key individuals (but not the only possible ones). This model reminds researchers and practitioners that mentoring resides within a mutually reinforcing (or inhibiting) network of other relationships. This systemic thinking has implications for child welfare agency policies and practices.
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The reported impact of these practices is consistent with Keller's systemic, ecological model of mentoring, which posits that the mentoring process is influenced by external social networks that play a central role in scaffolding the development and maintenance of the relationship.
“The reported impact of these practices is consistent with Keller’s systemic, ecological model of mentoring [176], which posits that the mentoring process is influenced by the external social networks that play a central role in scaffolding the development and the maintenance of the relationship.”
From Unpacking Community-Based Youth Mentoring Relationships: An Integrative Review (2021) · cites this paper as [176]
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- Authors
- Keller, T. E.
- Affiliations
- University of Chicago (US)
- Corresponding author
- Keller, Thomas E.
- ORCID
- Keller, Thomas E.
- Venue
- The Journal of Primary Prevention
- Published
- 2005-03
- Volume
- 26
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 169-188
- ISSN
- 0278-095X (ISSN-L)
- 1573-6547
- OpenAlex
- W2076897679
- Cited by
- 167
- References
- 46
- Citations by year
- 2026: 12 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 10
- FWCI
- 6.24
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- The Journal of Primary Prevention (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Spencer Foundation
- National Institute of Mental Health (R03MH067129)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mentoring and Academic Development
- Social Sciences › Safety Research › Child Welfare and Adoption
- Social Sciences › Safety Research › Youth Development and Social Support
- Keywords
- youth mentoring, systemic model, child protection services, ecological systems theory, interpersonal exchange, child welfare interventions
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Communication, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Mentors, Parent-Child Relations, Case Management
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