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.