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Characteristics of identified natural mentors in the experiences and perceptions of early-and-middle-aged adolescent youth: Implications for formal youth mentoring practice

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  • Brumovska, Tereza Javornicky

Abstract

Natural mentoring is a type of youth-adult relationship distinguished with the supportive and caring qualities. The complex conceptual definition as well as the youth-centred knowledge on this type of relationship in youths’ daily experiences are missing in the literature. This empirical article reports the analysis of data subset exploring the experiences of youths in natural mentoring relationships in the Czech context. Overall, 533 young people (aged 11–16, mean age 13.4) in eight secondary schools in the Czech Republic participated in the qualitative open-ended questionnaire, identifying, and describing natural mentors from their social networks. The paper reports results of thematic analysis of selected questionnaire items on young people’s experiences and perceptions of their identified natural mentors. Young people identified natural mentors most often (n = 105) among their peers or older friends. Besides, youths mentioned and described grandparents, older siblings, family acquaintances, schoolteachers, youth-group and sport leaders, and one-to-one music teachers as natural mentors.Identified mentors were most often perceived as ‘a good person’ with a caring, attentive, empathetic, nice, kind, and friendly nature who, as a result, is perceived as helpful and supportive. Results are discussed with recommendations for further exploration of natural mentoring as a type of youth–adult relationship, naturally occurring in institutions, organisations, and various youth-work settings where youth-adult interactions are part of the service/institution.

Suggested Citation

  • Brumovska, Tereza Javornicky, 2024. "Characteristics of identified natural mentors in the experiences and perceptions of early-and-middle-aged adolescent youth: Implications for formal youth mentoring practice," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 163(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:163:y:2024:i:c:s0190740924003372
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2024.107765
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kelley, Margaret S. & Lee, Meggan J., 2018. "When natural mentors matter: Unraveling the relationship with delinquency," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 319-328.
    2. Kamil Kopecký & Francisco-Domingo Fernández-Martín & René Szotkowski & Gerardo Gómez-García & Klára Mikulcová, 2021. "Behaviour of Children and Adolescents and the Use of Mobile Phones in Primary Schools in the Czech Republic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-15, August.
    3. Monjaras-Gaytan, Lidia Y. & Sánchez, Bernadette, 2023. "Historically underrepresented college students and natural mentoring relationships: A systematic review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    4. Ahrens, Kym R. & DuBois, David Lane & Garrison, Michelle & Spencer, Renee & Richardson, Laura P. & Lozano, Paula, 2011. "Qualitative exploration of relationships with important non-parental adults in the lives of youth in foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(6), pages 1012-1023, June.
    5. DuBois, D.L. & Silverthorn, N., 2005. "Natural mentoring relationships and adolescent health: Evidence from a national study," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 95(3), pages 518-524.
    6. Thompson, Allison E. & Greeson, Johanna K.P. & Brunsink, Ashleigh M., 2016. "Natural mentoring among older youth in and aging out of foster care: A systematic review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 40-50.
    7. Greeson, Johanna K.P. & Usher, Lynn & Grinstein-Weiss, Michal, 2010. "One adult who is crazy about you: Can natural mentoring relationships increase assets among young adults with and without foster care experience?," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(4), pages 565-577, April.
    8. Deutsch, Nancy L. & Mauer, Victoria A. & Johnson, Haley E. & Grabowska, Anita A. & Arbeit, Miriam R., 2020. "“[My counselor] knows stuff about me, but [my natural mentor] actually knows me”: Distinguishing characteristics of youth’s natural mentoring relationships," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 111(C).
    9. Gowdy, Grace & Hogan, Sean, 2021. "Informal mentoring among foster youth entering higher education," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).
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