Exploring notions of culture within the context of formal youth mentoring

Abstract

Youth mentoring programmes are increasingly recognised as useful interventions, with the quality of mentoring relationships often linked to the effectiveness of these programmes. While research indicates that relationship quality is a critical ingredient for positive growth and well-being, little is known about the importance and impact of culture on relationship quality and youth outcomes. Given the prevalence of culturally diverse youth and dissimilar mentor-mentee cultural matches in mentoring programmes, investigating how notions of culture and cultural matching impact mentoring relationship quality and youth outcomes are critical. This study aimed to examine how the mentor’s cultural competence influences relationship quality and the development of the mentee’s cultural identity in similar- and dissimilar-cultural matches. The sample included fifty-three mentor-mentee dyads within formal youth mentoring programmes in Auckland, New Zealand. Using self-reported surveys, participants recorded their responses relating to relationship quality, cultural competence and skills, cultural mistrust, and cultural identity. Quantitative analysis was conducted using bivariate correlations and multiple regression analysis. The results of this study suggest that high levels of mentor-reported cultural skills and competence are associated with better mentee-reported relationship quality regardless of the cultural match. In addition, mentees in dissimilar cultural matches are more likely to report higher levels of cultural identity exploration. Further, trust is an important factor to consider, mentees with a high level of cultural mistrust were less trusting of people from other ethnic groups. These findings indicate the important role mentors’ cultural knowledge and skills play in enhancing relationship quality and mentees’ cultural identity.