Future Expectations of Adolescents: The Role of Mentoring, Family Engagement, and Sense of Belonging

Abstract

This study investigates the association between mentoring and future expectations of youth in residential placements in Israel, and how family engagement during care and sense of belonging mediate this relationship. The participants included 213 adolescents (16–19 years old). Structural equation modeling revealed that mentoring contributed to the youths’ future expectations indirectly via family engagement in care, sense of belonging, and the chain mediating effect of family engagement and sense of belonging. The discussion highlights the importance of considering youths’ connections with chosen mentors and families when training foster and residential care workers as well as when implementing individual treatment plans and strategies to strengthen the sense of belonging of youth in care.