Diverse Perspectives: Exploring Peer Role Models Across Racial and Ethnic Backgrounds
Presentation Type
Poster
Faculty Advisor
Miriam Linver
Access Type
Event
Start Date
26-4-2024 9:45 AM
End Date
26-4-2024 10:44 AM
Description
A strong relationship with a peer mentor is linked to positive youth outcomes, including higher academic performance, increased community engagement, and improved mental health (Snowden et al., 2012). Adolescents often look to peer role models to shape their own identities (Karcher, 2005). Youth of color can benefit significantly from positive peer relationships that support their identity and development (Zirkel, 2004). Scouts BSA, a youth-serving organization focused on character and leadership development, emphasizes peer relationship building (Boy Scouts of America, 2022). Our research questions were: 1) Is race/ethnicity associated with Scouts having a peer role model? and 2) What character attributes do Scouts look for in potential peer role models across race/ethnicity? Data collected in spring 2019 included interviews with 109 youth Scouts aged 11 to 18. Participants were from various racial/ethnic backgrounds (70% White, 17% Racially Mixed, 6% Asian, 3% Black, 3% Hispanic/Latinx, and 3% Native American, Armenian, or Native Pacific Islander). Most Scouts indicated having a peer role model within Scouts BSA (n = 76, 70%). The identification of a role model was not significantly different based on a Scout’s race/ethnicity (X2 (1, N = 109) = 0.816, p = 0.366). Scouts commonly describe their peer role model to be helpful, a strong leader, kind, and friendly, and this was consistent regardless of race/ethnicity. Findings suggest that youth from diverse backgrounds can form meaningful peer relationships within organizations like Scouts BSA, benefiting from positive role models regardless of their racial/ethnic background (Rhodes & DuBois, 2008).
Diverse Perspectives: Exploring Peer Role Models Across Racial and Ethnic Backgrounds
A strong relationship with a peer mentor is linked to positive youth outcomes, including higher academic performance, increased community engagement, and improved mental health (Snowden et al., 2012). Adolescents often look to peer role models to shape their own identities (Karcher, 2005). Youth of color can benefit significantly from positive peer relationships that support their identity and development (Zirkel, 2004). Scouts BSA, a youth-serving organization focused on character and leadership development, emphasizes peer relationship building (Boy Scouts of America, 2022). Our research questions were: 1) Is race/ethnicity associated with Scouts having a peer role model? and 2) What character attributes do Scouts look for in potential peer role models across race/ethnicity? Data collected in spring 2019 included interviews with 109 youth Scouts aged 11 to 18. Participants were from various racial/ethnic backgrounds (70% White, 17% Racially Mixed, 6% Asian, 3% Black, 3% Hispanic/Latinx, and 3% Native American, Armenian, or Native Pacific Islander). Most Scouts indicated having a peer role model within Scouts BSA (n = 76, 70%). The identification of a role model was not significantly different based on a Scout’s race/ethnicity (X2 (1, N = 109) = 0.816, p = 0.366). Scouts commonly describe their peer role model to be helpful, a strong leader, kind, and friendly, and this was consistent regardless of race/ethnicity. Findings suggest that youth from diverse backgrounds can form meaningful peer relationships within organizations like Scouts BSA, benefiting from positive role models regardless of their racial/ethnic background (Rhodes & DuBois, 2008).
Comments
Additonal authors: Elyse Postlewaite, Alexis Nager, Miriam R. Linver, Jennifer Brown Urban