Campus Location
Dallas Campus (Online)
Date of Award
9-2020
ORCID
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2637-9453
Document Type
Dissertation
Department
Organizational Leadership
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Committee Chair or Primary Advisor
Irma Harper
Second Committee Member or Secondary Advisor
Heather Rasmussen
Third Committee Member or Committee Reader
B.J. McMichael
Abstract
The problem this study addressed was the high number of premature match closures occurring within youth mentoring programs, specifically the largest youth mentoring organization, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA). The purpose of this study was to identify factors related to premature match closures and the strategies that can help prevent the high number of occurrences within the BBBSA network according to the perspective of the mentor. The research study was conducted using a qualitative research approach. The instruments utilized for the study included an informational survey, archived data, and interviews. The sample population was mentors enrolled in the BBBSA one-to-one youth mentoring program in Texas from 2016–2018. Findings indicated that unclear and unrealistic expectations about the program or program aspects contribute to the high number of premature match closures. The findings also indicate that match duration is impacted by the level of the mentor’s preparedness, ongoing development, as well as the rushed match processes. This study suggested mentor-mentee matches have a higher likelihood of reaching a one year match duration when mentors fully understand the program and their role, combined with strong professional support and ongoing development opportunities, and flexible match practices. Keywords: youth mentoring, mentors, mentee, match duration, premature match, match closure, Big Brothers Big Sisters
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Corley, Melissa Madrid, "Youth Mentoring: Factors That Contribute to the High Number of Short-Term Matches and Implementing Preventative Strategies" (2020). Digital Commons @ ACU, Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 262.
https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/etd/262