Supportive relationships research review
- The University of Minnesota Center for Research and Outreach. (2017). Supportive relationships research review. Retrieved from: www.MilitaryREACH.org
- Supportive relationships are vital for individuals’ well-being across the lifespan. Supportive relationships with caring adults are particularly important for youth as they navigate obstacles and changes during their transition to adulthood and develop the competencies necessary to become well-adjusted, self-sufficient young adults (Arnett, 2000; Eccles & Gootman, 2002; Larson & Tran, 2014). Indeed, supportive non-parental adult relationships can foster resilience to mitigate the negative effects of stressors encountered by youth and provide youth with an array of opportunities for positive development and growth (Catalano, Berglund, Ryan, Lonczak, & Hawkins, 2004; Grossman & Bulle, 2006). Youth can form supportive relationships in a number of different contexts and with people in a range of capacities (e.g., teachers, coaches, extended family). Youth programs provide one such context for youth to build relationships with non-parental adults (Metz, Goldsmith, & Arbreton, 2008). Given that youth programs encourage youth workers to be accessible, nurturing mentors and role models for youth and to build close relationships with youth (Catalano et al., 2004; Hirsch, 2005b; Pryce, 2012), these programs can provide an ideal opportunity for youth to engage in supportive relationships. The current paper will examine supportive relationships within the context of youth programs, offering a definition of supportive relationships, reviewing important youth outcomes related to supportive relationships, and discussing implications for youth programs and youth workers.
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Research summaries convey terminology used by the scientists who authored the original research article; some terminology may not align with the federal government's mandated language for certain constructs.