A pilot study of big brothers big sisters programs and youth development: An application of critical race theory

• No difference was found between SRMs and CRM on mentees' confidence.
• No difference was found between SRMs and CRMs on mentees' competence.
• No difference was found between SRMs and CRMs on mentees' caring.
• Longer period matches displayed greater competence than shorter matches.

Testing critical race theory, we examined whether children and adolescents with an adult mentor of the same race/ethnicity display higher levels of confidence, competence, and caring than those with a mentor of a different race/ethnicity. We also tested whether longer participation in the mentoring program results in better developmental outcomes. The sample included 47 cross- and same-race mentor-mentee pairs in the Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) program. Developmental outcomes were measured using Big Brothers Big Sisters of America's (BBBSA) Program-based Outcome Evaluation, and were analyzed using t-test, chi-square, and General Lineal Model. No significant differences were found in youth development based on racial/ethnic match. However, the longer matched pairs showed greater competence. Implications for practice, policies, and research are also discussed.