A longitudinal study to determine the effects of mentoring on middle school youngsters by nursing and other college students.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to utilize nursing and other college students in conducting a mentoring project aimed at determining outcomes of behavior and attitude of high-risk middle school students over a 5-year period.


METHODS
A quasi-experimental study with a sample of fifth and sixth graders was conducted in which mentored subjects were tested using multiple instruments and school data to identify behavioral and attitudinal outcomes. Statistical analyses were conducted using chi-square and one-way analysis of variance.


RESULTS
Academically below-average males in the treatment group were the only cohort demonstrating significant change across all measures. The magnitude of change in this cohort, however, did significantly affect treatment group outcomes overall. Females in both treatment and control groups reflected similar changes.


CONCLUSIONS
Mentoring of schoolchildren is difficult to accomplish using college mentors because of time and schedule commitments. When college mentors are used, grade allocation seems to be a stronger incentive than when payment is the sole reward. Males whose grades are below average demonstrated positive outcomes from the mentoring experience.
Whiting
Sylvia M A
SM
South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, SC, USA. sylviawhiting@aol.com
Mallory
James E
JE
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001290:Attitude; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000517:prevention & control; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008611:Mentors; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000193:education*; D012649:Self Concept; D012920:Social Behavior Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States