Benefits for Children & Youth

Recent studies have shown that one-to-one mentoring programs have significant positive effects on children. Of the children who participated in one such study, Big Brothers Big Sisters School-based Mentoring: An Evaluation Summary of Five Pilot Programs:

• 64% developed more positive attitudes toward school
• 64% developed higher levels of self-confidence
• 62% were more likely to trust their teachers
• 60% improved relationships with adults
• 58% achieved higher grades in social sciences, languages and math
• 56% improved relationships with peers
• 55% were better able to express their feelings

A 1995 Public/Private Ventures study of Big Brothers Big Sisters one-to-one mentoring friendships found that Little Brothers and Little Sisters who regularly met with their ‘Bigs’ for one year were:

• 46% less likely than their peers to use illegal drugs
• 27% less likely to drink alcohol
• 52% less likely to skip a whole day of school
• 37% less likely to skip a class

The study also reported the youth were more trusting of their parents and guardians, less likely to lie to them, and felt more supported and less criticized by their peers and friends.

Benefits for Parents and Families

A 1995 Impact Study, "Big Brothers Big Sisters: Making a Difference", conducted by Public/ Private Ventures, found that the quality of a youth's relationship with his/her custodial parent increased following program participation. The study measured three components of the parent-child relationship: trust, communication, and anger/alienation. The overall effect was driven primarily by an increase in the Littles' trust in their parents.

Child Trends’ (www.childtrends.org) Research Brief, Helping Teens Develop Healthy Social Skills and Relationships: What the Research Shows about Navigating Adolescence, says that mentoring programs can boost the quality of parent-adolescent relationships. "Teens who have friendships with adults outside their families feel supported, are more social and less depressed and get along with their parents."