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February 11, 2005
Foster Children with Mentors Learn to Trust
Others
A Chicago study confirms that foster children who get mentors
show improvements in their peer relationships, a step towards
developing a deeper sense of trust in other people. Children
with mentors were able to overcome abuse or neglect in learning
to trust adults and others. |
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Methods
Researchers used long-term data compiled from about 1,000 urban
adolescents who participated in a national study of Big
Brothers-Big Sisters, a country-wide mentoring program. Youth
were assessed for changes in social and academic behaviors,
including drug use and anti-social conduct, 18 months after
being assigned to mentors.
Results
Children in foster care with mentors showed improvement in peer
relationships compared to those who did not get a mentor.
Researchers found that the length of the mentoring relationship
was critical to the success of the child. When the relationship
ended within six months, investigators found increases in
alcohol use and smoking, disruptions in parent and peer
relationships and lowering of self-esteem. Slight improvements
were seen in six- to 12-month relationships, but those lasting
12 to 18 months yielded dramatic academic, psychosocial and
behavioral outcomes. Preliminary findings show that children
whose mentors provide moderate levels of support and structure
reap the greatest benefits.
Conclusions
The authors emphasized the importance of carefully selecting
mentors for at-risk foster children. Mentors who are trustworthy
and readily available to children show the greatest potential
for building a trust-relationship, and helping foster children
learn to trust others in general.
Inquiries: Jim Barlow, Life Sciences Editor, University of
Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. 217-333-5802
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