Can Mentoring Programs Help?
Mentoring programs have been increasingly advocated as a means of redressing foster care youth’s fundamental need for close and caring relationships.4 Few studies have specifically addressed this important question. On the one hand, the past experiences of foster youth may present barriers to their establishing close, supportive relationships with mentors. • Specifically, because foster care youth have often been exposed to inconsistent and inadequate parenting, they may have difficulties forming secure attachments (i.e., positive emotional bonds) with their parents and other adults.5 • In fact, researchers believe that as many as three-quarters of foster care youth may experience difficulty forming healthy attachments. Difficulties trusting and forming close bonds may prevent foster care youth from realizing the positive benefits of mentoring.3 On the other hand, youth in foster care may be uniquely responsive to supportive relationships with caring adults.6 • As they negotiate the tr
