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outcomes (Grossman & Rhodes, 2002; Grossman & Tierney, 1998). These factors have

been examined more in the mentoring program evaluation research than in the research

done on natural mentors. The duration of the relationship has been found to be important

in mentor-mentee matched relationships (Grossman & Rhodes, 2002). Brief (less than 6

months duration) relationships can actually have detrimental effects (Grossman &

Rhodes, 2002).

 Other factors have been less well studied. The frequency and duration of typical

contact may also be important to the quality and potential influence of the relationship.

The most extensively studied mentoring program, Big Brothers Big Sisters, sets

minimum levels of contact between their matched mentors and mentees (Grossman &

Tiemey, 1998). Mentors must spend a minimum of 3 to 4 hours with their mentees at

least two to four times per month. This program has demonstrated significant positive

mental health outcomes for its participants (Grossman & Tiemey, 1998).

 The final quality factor that was addressed in this study is the amount of trust

adolescents have in their mentors and how much they confide in their mentors. These

aspects have been considered part of the definition of a mentoring relationship (Rhodes

et al., 1992). This includes how much the adolescents tell their mentor about good and/or

bad things that happen to them. It also addresses the adolescent's perception of how

much this individual influences their behavior.

 A series of items were developed to operationally define the quality mentoring

relationship constructs (Woolard & Greig, 2001). These items included several ordinal

response items that assessed the duration of the relationship and the frequency and

duration of typical contact. Also, based on previous measures and definitions a

Trust/Confiding likert scale was developed (Appendix A; Institute of Behavioral Science,