One adult who is crazy about you: Can natural mentoring relationships increase assets among young adults with and without foster care experience?

Citation

Greeson, Johanna K. P.; Usher, Lynn; & Grinstein-Weiss, Michael (2010). One adult who is crazy about you: Can natural mentoring relationships increase assets among young adults with and without foster care experience?. 2010 Add Health Users Conference. Bethesda, MD: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Carolina Population Center.

Abstract

During emerging adulthood, most youth receive family support to help them weather the difficulties associated with transitioning to independence. When foster youth emancipate, they confront the challenges associated with emerging adulthood, and are at risk of having to transition without family support. Many are in danger of failing to be self-sufficient. Caring adults who offer social support are normative for adolescent development and protective for at-risk youth. Natural mentoring can cultivate such relationships. This study examines the association between natural mentor relationship characteristics, and physical and liquid assets during the emerging adulthood period in a normative sample of young adults and those identified as former foster youth. Data from Wave III of Add Health are used. Path models were estimated using robust maximum likelihood. Like a parent, role model and guidance/advice, were associated with assets for both groups. This study contributes to the evidence-base for natural mentoring, highlighting the value of understanding natural mentor roles for intervention development. The focus on assets is a novel approach to investigate the benefits of natural mentoring to the healthy development of youth.

URL

https://addhealth.cpc.unc.edu/wp-content/uploads/docs/news/FINAL%202010%20Add%20Health%20Users%20Conference%20Abstracts.pdf

Keyword(s)

Foster Care

Reference Type

Conference proceeding

Book Title

2010 Add Health Users Conference

Author(s)

Greeson, Johanna K. P.
Usher, Lynn
Grinstein-Weiss, Michael

Year Published

2010

Publisher

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Carolina Population Center

City of Publication

Bethesda, MD

Reference ID

6451