This research summary was developed by Pathways to Education.

HERE’S HOW THE AUTHORS DESCRIBE THIS RESEARCH SUMMARY:

Youth need to feel connected to adults in order to thrive. However, little is known about the processes of these youth-adult relationships. This research study aims to better understand the individual and environmental attributes that promote young people’s sense of connection to significant adults.

Significant adults (SAs) are described as adults other than parents or guardians that youth can count on, who are there for them, believe in them, care deeply about them, inspire them to do their best, and influence the choices they make.

This study uses a mixed methods approach to examine the youth-adult connection using multiple lenses. It explores how youth describe closeness and connection, helps to understand young people’s experiences in well-connected and poorly connected relationships, and examines the specific roles that SAs play in the lives of youth.