School-Based Mentoring for Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Abstract
Objectives: To evaluate the impact of school-based mentoring for adolescents (11–18 years) on academic performance, attendance, attitudes, behavior, and self-esteem. Method: A systematic review and meta-analysis. The authors searched 12 databases from 1980 to 2011. Eight studies with 6,072 participants were included, 6 were included in meta-analysis. Studies were assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Tool. Results: Across outcomes, effect sizes were very small (random effects), and most were not significant. The magnitude of the largest effect (for self-esteem) was close to zero, g = 0.09, [0.03, 0.14]. Conclusions: The mentoring programs included in this review did not reliably improve any of the included outcomes. Well-designed programs implemented over a longer time might achieve positive results.
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Previous studies have focused on the effectiveness of mentoring programs for youth through review studies and meta-analyses.
“Previous studies have focused on the effectiveness of mentoring programs for youth through review studies and meta-analyses (e.g., Wheeler et al., 2010; Wood and Mayo-Wilson, 2012; Tolan et al., 2014).”
From Outcome domains and assessment measures in school-based youth mentoring programs: a systematic review (2026) · cites this paper as Wood and Mayo-Wilson, 2012
Our findings from studies that did not show significant benefits from mentoring align with earlier systematic reviews and meta-analyses by Wood and Mayo-Wilson (2012) and Wheeler et al. (2010).
“Our findings from studies that did not show significant benefits from mentoring align with earlier systematic reviews and meta-analyses by Wood and Mayo-Wilson (2012) and Wheeler et al. (2010).”
From Outcome domains and assessment measures in school-based youth mentoring programs: a systematic review (2026) · cites this paper as Wood and Mayo-Wilson (2012)
Our study findings contradict previous systematic analyses and meta-analyses by Wood and Mayo-Wilson (2012), which reported that SBM programs were ineffective.
“Our study findings contradict previous systematic analyses and meta-analyses by W ood and Mayo-Wilson (2012), which reported that SBM programs were ineffective.”
From Outcome domains and assessment measures in school-based youth mentoring programs: a systematic review (2026) · cites this paper as Wood and Mayo-Wilson (2012)
In Wood and Mayo-Wilson's review, the mentoring program did not improve any intended outcomes.
“In this review, the mentoring program did not improve any intended outcomes.”
From Outcome domains and assessment measures in school-based youth mentoring programs: a systematic review (2026) · cites this paper as Wood and Mayo-Wilson (2012)
Wood and Mayo-Wilson (2012) attributed the lack of positive outcomes to factors such as inadequate mentor training, ineffective mentor-mentee pairing, poor program implementation, and the short duration of the programs.
“Wood and Mayo-Wilson (2012) attributed the lack of positive outcomes to factors such as inadequate mentor training, ineffective mentor-mentee pairing, poor program implementation, and the short duration of the programs, with the longest lasting only a few months for most young participants.”
From Outcome domains and assessment measures in school-based youth mentoring programs: a systematic review (2026) · cites this paper as Wood and Mayo-Wilson (2012)
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Interpretation of random effects meta-analyses
Riley, R. D., Higgins, J. P. T., & Deeks, J. J. (2011) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.d549 · Cited by 2,884 · 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
School-Based Interventions for Aggressive and Disruptive Behavior
Wilson, S. J., & Lipsey, M. W. (2007) · American Journal of Preventive Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2007.04.011 · Cited by 783 · see citing works
Does Mentoring Work?: An Impact Study of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program
Grossman, J. B., & Tierney, J. P. (1998) · Evaluation Review · doi:10.1177/0193841x9802200304 · Cited by 436 · see citing works
Secondary prevention as context for assessing change processes in aggressive children
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Gender in Mentoring Relationships
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Natural mentoring among older youth in and aging out of foster care: A systematic review
Thompson, A. E., Greeson, J. K. P., & Brunsink, A. M. (2016) · Children and Youth Services Review · doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2015.12.006 · Cited by 172 · see citing works
Miller, J. M., Barnes, J. C., Miller, H. V., & McKinnon, L. (2013) · American Journal of Criminal Justice · doi:10.1007/s12103-012-9188-9 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Mentor Response to Youth Academic Support–Seeking Behavior: Does Attunement Matter?
Weiler, L. M., Chesmore, A. A., Pryce, J., Haddock, S. A., & Rhodes, T. (2019) · Youth & Society · doi:10.1177/0044118x17697235 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Williamson, S., Lawrence, E., Lyons, M. D., & Deutsch, N. L. (2020) · The Journal of Early Adolescence · doi:10.1177/0272431619891251 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Busse, H., Campbell, R., & Kipping, R. (2018) · Children and Youth Services Review · doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2018.03.025 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Butler, N., Quigg, Z., Wilson, C., McCoy, E., & Bates, R. (2024) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/s12889-024-18210-9 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Tiraieyari, N., & Krauss, S. (2026) · Frontiers in Education · doi:10.3389/feduc.2026.1518053
- Authors
- Wood, S., & Mayo-Wilson, E.
- Affiliations
- University of Oxford (GB)
- Centre for Evidence-Based Intervention, Department of Social Policy and Intervention, University of Oxford, London, United Kingdom
- Venue
- Research on Social Work Practice
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2012-01-03
- Volume
- 22
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 257-269
- ISSN
- 1049-7315 (ISSN-L)
- 1552-7581
- OpenAlex
- W2080516599
- Cited by
- 83
- References
- 7
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 7.24
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Research on Social Work Practice (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mentoring and Academic Development
- Social Sciences › Safety Research › Youth Development and Social Support
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Crime Patterns and Interventions
- Keywords
- school-based mentoring, academic performance, school attendance, student behavior, self-esteem, attitudes, mentoring program effectiveness
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