Mentoring for Black Male Youth: A Systematic Review of the Research
Article
Sánchez, B, Hurd, NM, Neblett, EW et al. (2018). Mentoring for Black Male Youth: A Systematic Review of the Research
. 3(3), 259-278. 10.1007/s40894-017-0074-z
Sánchez, B, Hurd, NM, Neblett, EW et al. (2018). Mentoring for Black Male Youth: A Systematic Review of the Research
. 3(3), 259-278. 10.1007/s40894-017-0074-z
A growing body of literature has been dedicated to evaluating the potential benefits of mentoring interventions. Although the majority of youth served by mentoring interventions are youth of color, little is known about the role of mentoring programs in specific cultural populations. The current literature review was conducted to compile all available research evidence about mentoring for Black boys. The aims of the review were to examine (a) the demonstrated effects of mentoring for Black male youth and (b) the factors that condition or influence (moderators) the effectiveness of mentoring for Black male youth. Available research points to a range of potential benefits of mentoring for this population, such as reduced health-risk behavior and improved academic outcomes, social-emotional wellbeing, mental health, interpersonal relationships, and racial identity. The literature revealed potential moderators of mentoring for Black boys related to program and mentor characteristics. This review showed that there are few studies focused specifically on mentoring for Black boys and that there is generally a lack of rigor in many studies of mentoring programs targeting this group. Further, it is unknown whether culturally tailored mentoring programs are more effective than general mentoring programs targeting diverse youth. We call on researchers to conduct investigations of mentoring for this population, to specifically examine the racial, cultural, and contextual factors that influence the effect of mentoring on Black male youth’s outcomes, and to study culturally specific outcomes.
