Publication year: 2011
Source: Children and Youth Services Review, In Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available online 31 January 2011
Rodrigo Sebastián, Torres , Gary W., Harper , Bernadette, Sánchez , M. Isabel, Fernández
Scholars have identified the presence of natural mentoring relationships (NMRs) as one of a set of protective factors that promote and protect the health and well-being of “at-risk” and marginalized youth. While this work has informed our understanding of the importance of NMRs for supporting youth and promoting positive development, it has only just begun to extend its inquiry focus onto the lives of same-sex attracted (SSA) youth (e.g., gay and bisexual youth). Thirty-nine in-depth interviews with self-identified gay, bisexual, and questioning (GBQ) male youth (ages 15 – 22) were qualitatively analyzed for the presence, form, and function of NMRs….