Abstract
A 3-wave model linking natural mentoring relationships to externalizing behavior was tested with 345 rural African American
emerging adults in their final year of high school. Structural equation models were executed linking multi-informant reports
of mentor-emerging adult relationship quality with youths’ externalizing behavior 18 months later. Consistent with our primary
hypotheses, emerging adults whose relationships with their natural mentors were characterized by instrumental and emotional
support and affectively positive interactions reported lower levels of anger, rule-breaking behavior, and aggression. These
effects emerged independent of the influences of family support and youth gender. Two intrapersonal processes, a future orientation
and self-regulation, emerged as mediators of the influence of natural mentoring relationships. The influence of natural mentors
was most pronounced for emerging adults experiencing high levels of life stress.
emerging adults in their final year of high school. Structural equation models were executed linking multi-informant reports
of mentor-emerging adult relationship quality with youths’ externalizing behavior 18 months later. Consistent with our primary
hypotheses, emerging adults whose relationships with their natural mentors were characterized by instrumental and emotional
support and affectively positive interactions reported lower levels of anger, rule-breaking behavior, and aggression. These
effects emerged independent of the influences of family support and youth gender. Two intrapersonal processes, a future orientation
and self-regulation, emerged as mediators of the influence of natural mentoring relationships. The influence of natural mentors
was most pronounced for emerging adults experiencing high levels of life stress.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-12
- DOI 10.1007/s10464-011-9425-2
- Authors
- Steven M. Kogan, Department of Child and Family Development and Center for Family Research, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
- Gene H. Brody, Center for Family Research, University of Georgia, Athens, GA USA
- Yi-fu Chen, Center for Family Research, University of Georgia, Athens, GA USA
- Journal American Journal of Community Psychology
- Online ISSN 1573-2770
- Print ISSN 0091-0562