As previously mentioned, a large majority of participants in this study reported

the presence of a natural mentor. This group had higher rates of adverse mental health

symptoms. If having a natural mentor is normative, a logical follow-up question is "Is it

normative to have adverse mental health symptoms during early adolescence?" Early

theories of adolescent development stated that it was a period of turmoil, stress,

transition, and mood liability (Muuss, 1996). However, despite the common stereotypes,

modern theory and research have demonstrated that the majority of adolescents transition

quite well through this period of the lifespan (Lewinsohn et al., 1998). It is unclear what

the explanation is for this unexpected finding. Additional studies are needed to further

evaluate this finding and examine its clinical significance

 Ethnic Identity

 Ethnic identity was not found to be predictive of mood related symptoms. This

finding is in contrast to some previous research (Arroyo & Zigler, 1995; Roberts et al.,

1999; Rotheram-Borus, 1989). Other studies have also found no direct links between

ethnic identity and adverse mood related symptoms (Caldwell et al., 2002; DuBois, Burk-

Braxton, et al., 2002). Some research has confirmed models that demonstrate an indirect

relationship between ethnic identity and mood related symptoms. Ethnic identity has

been related to mood symptoms via perceived stress (Caldwell et al., 2002) and global

self-worth (DuBois, Burk-Braxton, et al., 2002). These additional constructs were not

measured in this study, so it is impossible to confirm if such mechanisms were at work in

this sample.

 The developmental level of the participants in this study is also important to

consider. Ethnic identity increases over time and it is possible that many of the

participants in this study were still in a relatively early phase of this developmental