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Effects of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Community-Based Mentoring Program on social-emotional, behavioral, and academic outcomes of participating youth: A randomized controlled trial

Author

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  • Herrera, Carla
  • DuBois, David L.
  • Heubach, Janet
  • Grossman, Jean B.

Abstract

This research is a randomized controlled trial of effects of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) Community-Based Mentoring Program on the social-emotional, behavioral, and academic outcomes of participating youth over a 13-month period. Seven hundred sixty-four youth between 9 and 14 years old were enrolled in the study through two BBBSA agencies that served predominantly urban areas on the West Coast. Each participating youth was randomly assigned either to be immediately eligible for being matched with a mentor (treatment group; n = 379) or to remain on the program waitlist for 13 months (control group; n = 385). Analyses for the present study are based on 654 youth for whom outcome data were able to be obtained at a 13-month follow-up (87.0% of the treatment group and 84.2% of the control group). Outcome measures were completed by youth (depressive symptoms, prosocial behavior, social acceptance, parent–child relationship quality, misconduct, self-perception of academic ability, skipping school, and academic performance) and primary caregivers (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire [SDQ]) at baseline and at the 13-month follow-up. Composite indices reflecting the average of youth- and/or parent-reported outcome measures were also examined. Findings indicated effects of mentoring (i.e., being offered a mentor) that reached statistical significance, all favoring the treatment group, for youth-reported depressive symptoms, parent-reported emotional symptoms, peer problems, conduct problems and the total difficulties score on the SDQ, and the parent-report and combined youth- and parent-report composite indices at the 13-month assessment (Cohen’s d ranging from 0.138 to 0.253).

Suggested Citation

  • Herrera, Carla & DuBois, David L. & Heubach, Janet & Grossman, Jean B., 2023. "Effects of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Community-Based Mentoring Program on social-emotional, behavioral, and academic outcomes of participating youth: A randomized controlled trial," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:144:y:2023:i:c:s0190740922003784
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2022.106742
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sven Resnjanskij & Jens Ruhose & Simon Wiederhold & Ludger Woessmann & Katharina Wedel, 2024. "Can Mentoring Alleviate Family Disadvantage in Adolescence? A Field Experiment to Improve Labor Market Prospects," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 132(3), pages 1013-1062.
    2. De Wit, David J. & Lipman, Ellen & Manzano-Munguia, Maria & Bisanz, Jeffrey & Graham, Kathryn & Offord, David R. & O'Neill, Elizabeth & Pepler, Deborah & Shaver, Karen, 2007. "Feasibility of a randomized controlled trial for evaluating the effectiveness of the Big Brothers Big Sisters community match program at the national level," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(3), pages 383-404, March.
    3. Jonathan Guryan & Sandra Christenson & Ashley Cureton & Ijun Lai & Jens Ludwig & Catherine Schwarz & Emma Shirey & Mary Clair Turner, 2021. "The Effect of Mentoring on School Attendance and Academic Outcomes: A Randomized Evaluation of the Check & Connect Program," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 40(3), pages 841-882, June.
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    2. Mutignani, Lauren M. & Steggerda, Jake C. & Scafe, Meredith J. & Vengurlekar, Ishan N. & Cavell, Timothy A., 2024. "The Practice of Rematching in Youth Mentoring: A Study of Planned Rematches in School-Based Mentoring for Children Identified as Aggressive," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    3. Weiler, Lindsey M. & Hanson, Alexandra N. & Busse, Claire & Aronson, Emma & Neiman, Patti J., 2024. "The need and acceptability of a youth mental health mentoring model to supplement adolescent outpatient mental health services," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    4. Lehto-Lundén, Tiina & Jägervi, Lotta & Svenlin, Anu-Riina & Svensson, Kerstin & Moilanen, Johanna, 2024. "Contact person intervention in Nordic countries: A comparative integrative review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    5. Erdem, Gizem & DuBois, David L. & Larose, Simon & De Wit, David J. & Lipman, Ellen L., 2024. "Associations of youth mentoring with parent emotional well-being and family functioning: Longitudinal findings from a study of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    6. Celik, Ishak & Buker, Nicholas H. & Oswalt, Jasmine, 2025. "Weapon carrying among adolescents: a cross-sectional study of crime-related risk and protective factors," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 178(C).

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