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adolescents (Grossman & Rhodes, 2002). For this reason, those adolescents that reported

at least a 6-month duration of relationship were categorized as having a quality mentor.

The aspects of the frequency of contact and the amount of time spent at each visit have

also not been specifically researched in reference to natural mentors. The baseline criteria

used by Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) was used as a guideline for these factors.

Community-based mentors in BBBS are required to meet with their mentees at least 2-4

times per month and to spend approximately two to four hours at each visit (Grossman &

Tiemey, 1998). For this study, those participants that reported seeing their mentor at least

once per week and that spent at least one hour per visit with their mentor were

categorized as having a quality mentor.

 The last factor used to determine the quality of the existing mentoring

relationship was the amount of trust the adolescent has in their mentor and the comfort

they have with confiding in their mentor. A scale comprised of seven questions was

developed based on previous definitions of mentors and other measures of social support

(Nakkula et al., 1990 & Institute of Behavioral Science, 1990, as cited in Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention, 2002; Rhodes et al. 1992; ). The reliability of this

subscale has not been previously tested. However, reliability coefficients are detailed for

the current study in Chapter 4. This construct has been specifically used to define a

mentoring relationship (Pearsall, 1999; Rhodes et al., 1992). The minimum level for this

factor is also described in Chapter 1.

 Several specific characteristics of the mentors were assessed using categorical

response items. The ethnic match of the mentor and their gender were assessed. Also, the

relationship between the mentor and the mentee or who the mentor is in reference to the