Understanding the mentoring process between adolescents and adults

Spencer, Renée

doi:10.1177/0743558405278263

Cited by 265Mentoring and Academic DevelopmentYouth Development and Social SupportCareer Development and Diversity

Understanding the mentoring process between adolescents and adults

Spencer, Renée·2006·Youth & Society

DOI 10.1177/0743558405278263

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Abstract

The popularity of mentoring programs for disadvantaged youth is on the rise, but little is known about the processes that underpin successful mentoring relationships. In-depth semistructured interviews were conducted with adolescent and adult pairs who had been in a continuous mentoring relationship for a minimum of 1 year. Using relational theories as the guiding framework, this study examined four relational processes, which are detailed in this article: authenticity, empathy, collaboration, and companionship.

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The recreational component refers to connectedness, companionship, friendship, and ongoing communication, accompanied by collaboration, mutuality, and self-disclosure.
“The recreational component refers to connectedness, companionship, friendship, and ongoing communication [80,82,91,92,94,96,97,98,99,103,104], accompanied by collaboration, mutuality [39,86,94,95,96,103,105], and self-disclosure [106,107].”
From Unpacking Community-Based Youth Mentoring Relationships: An Integrative Review (2021) · cites this paper as [94]
The emotional component also encompasses other qualities, such as listening, empathy, attunement, genuine respect, and sensitivity.
“The emotional component also encompasses other qualities, such as listening, empathy, attunement [62,96,97,98], genuine respect [99], and sensitivity [39,94,100].”
From Unpacking Community-Based Youth Mentoring Relationships: An Integrative Review (2021) · cites this paper as [94]
Mentors in BBBS America who held mentees in positive regard and were capable of engaging authentically and empathically with them were more likely to facilitate the establishment of strong relationships.
“Mentors in BBBS America who held mentees in positive regard and were capable of engaging authentically and empathically with them were more likely to facilitate the establishment of strong relationships [94,117].”
From Unpacking Community-Based Youth Mentoring Relationships: An Integrative Review (2021) · cites this paper as [94]
Mentors holding negative attitudes toward children and adolescents often found it challenging to connect with or understand them.
“In contrast, mentors holding negative attitudes toward children and adolescents often found it challenging to connect with or understand them [94,117].”
From Unpacking Community-Based Youth Mentoring Relationships: An Integrative Review (2021) · cites this paper as [94]

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Authors: Spencer, R.
Affiliations: Boston University (US)
Corresponding author: Spencer, Renée
ORCID: Spencer, Renée
Venue: Youth & Society
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Published: 2006-03
Volume: 37
Issue: 3
Pages: 287-315
ISSN: 0044-118X (ISSN-L)
1552-8499
DOI: 10.1177/0743558405278263
OpenAlex: W1988625395
Cited by: 265
References: 34
Citations by year: 2026: 8 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 15 · 2016: 26 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 14 · 2013: 19 · 2012: 28
FWCI: 17.69
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: journals.sagepub.com/page/policies/text-and-data-mining-license (tdm)
Locations: Youth & Society (publishedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mentoring and Academic Development
Social Sciences › Safety Research › Youth Development and Social Support
Social Sciences › Safety Research › Career Development and Diversity
Keywords: mentoring relationships, disadvantaged youth, mentoring programs, relational processes, authenticity, empathy, collaboration, companionship, relational theory

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Understanding the mentoring process between adolescents and adults

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