HRSA Study Finds Value in Mentorship As A Way to Stop Bullying and Improve Academic Outcomes

photo of four children working in a group

A study conducted by HRSA’s MCHB reveals mentorship’s benefits in preventing bullying and improving educational outcomes among school-aged children. The analysis evaluated 2011-2012 data from the HRSA National Survey of Children’s Health.

Overall, 23 percent of children without a mentor were less likely to be engaged in school, compared to 19 percent in a mentoring relationship. More than 5 percent of children without a mentor perpetrated bullying, compared to less than 2 percent in a mentoring relationship. In addition, 11 percent of children without a mentor repeated more than one grade in school, compared to less than 9 percent in a mentoring relationship.

Data reveal potential benefits in making connections between community partnerships and after-school mentoring programs as a way to prevent bullying and improve educational outcomes.

Read the Journal of School Health abstract.