How Youth Mentoring Programs Impact Criminal Behavior Among Black Males

Date of Conferral

11-3-2023

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Criminal Justice

Advisor

Kimberley Blackmon

Abstract

This study was conducted to explore the impact of mentoring for Black male youths between 18-22 years of age who were mentored in both formal and non-formal mentoring programs during adolescence. The goal was to determine whether the mentoring strategies used during the mentoring encounter helped to reduce criminal behavior and activity, reduced the desire to participate in criminal activity, and if mentoring was most impactful for mentored youth program participants with less than 12 months or more than 12 months of mentoring. Social learning theory and differential association theory were the foundational theories used to support the premise that criminal behavior is learned through interacting, associating with peers, and when there is an association with individuals who violate social norms. The research questions were designed to garner an in-depth understanding about what worked in the mentoring experience with comparison and contrast of program participants’ mentoring experiences. Lived experience data was gathered through interviews from 12 mentored youth to understand the strategies used during the mentoring encounter that most impacted the youths’ perception of crime and criminal behavior. Results showed there are a number of internal and external factors that accounted for why there was a need for mentoring the at-risk youth population. Participants suggested having a good relationship and spending quality time with their mentor changed their perception of criminal behavior. The study can be used for positive social change to assess existing mentoring programs so that intervention and engagement can occur earlier to help reduce the number of youths entering into the criminal justice system.

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