Barriers, bumps and bridges: How cultural differences shape the youth mentoring process over time

Because strong relationships with adults are crucial to healthy psychological development in adolescence, social work has long supported mentoring as an intervention for promoting youth development. Formal mentoring programs seek to foster such connections by matching at-risk youth with an unrelated adult in the hope that a supportive relationship develops. Issues of culture and class difference appear to affect formal mentoring relationships (FMR); for example, adults and youth matched through these programs tend to have different racial and class backgrounds, while adults and youth in naturally-occurring mentoring relationships tend to share similar backgrounds.

The purpose of this study is to better understand how mentors and youth navigate cultural differences in FMRs. Qualitative interview data from a mixed-methods longitudinal study of mentoring were analyzed. Twelve pairs of youth/mentors were interviewed three times: at match, 3, and 6 months into the relationship. Pairs were interviewed together and each partner alone. Interviews were recorded and transcribed; transcripts were analyzed thematically by a public health social worker and social work doctoral student using continuous comparison methods.

Findings: Three relationship trajectory themes were identified: 1) Non-connectors: pairs that were unable to overcome differences; 2) Eroders: pairs that initially connected but whose relationship deteriorated as worldview and experience differences emerged; 3) Sustainers: pairs who forged meaningful connections despite differences. Relational processes distinguishing each trajectory were also identified. These findings highlight the complexity of FMRs, More research is needed on facilitating cultural differences.