Hybrid Group Mentorship for Youth Impacted by Familial Substance use Disorder

Authors

• Stephen Phillippi, LSU Health Sciences Center - New OrleansFollow
• Helen Lindau, LSU Health Sciences Center - New Orleans
• Casey L. Thomas, LSU Health Sciences Center - New OrleansFollow
• Kaylin Beiter, LSU Health Sciences Center - New Orleans
• Ashley Fenton, LSU Health Sciences Center - New OrleansFollow
• Michelle Lawrence Bidwell, LSU Health Sciences Center - New Orleans
• Claudia Leonardi, LSU Health Sciences Center - New OrleansFollow
• Edmond Bowers, Clemson University

Abstract

Background: Children under the care of individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) are themselves at risk for developing SUDs and delinquent behavior. Mentorship can be protective for these youth. This preliminary program evaluation study, following a descriptive cross-sectional design, describes Camp Mariposa, a novel peer and group mentoring program for youth affected by familial substance use. Methods: Data were collected from participants across 13 mentoring sites nationwide, with one site in Louisiana. These data include demographics and self-reported information about substance use, juvenile judicial system involvement, and experiences in the mentoring program. Results: Data on 570 youth participants (52% male and 58% female; average age of 10.4 at intake) were collected. These youths reported diverse races and ethnicities (e.g., 44% White, 28% African American, and 13% Hispanic/Latino). The majority were from low-income homes (88%); a third reported experiencing mental health conditions; and over 40% reported a history of physical and/or emotional abuse, 34% with foster care system contact. Follow-up surveys of these youth over two years suggest 90% did not initiate substance use and over 96% have not been in contact (e.g., arrest) with the justice system for delinquency behaviors. Conclusion: Findings suggest that the program is effectively engaging its target demographic of youth across its dispersed locations, and that the hybrid design of the program may offer the combined benefits of conventional one-on-one and peer mentoring programs. As a hybrid group mentorship program that requires fewer time commitments, Camp Mariposa may be preferable among mentors and mentees.

DOI

10.59020/35192

Recommended Citation

Phillippi, Stephen; Lindau, Helen; Thomas, Casey L.; Beiter, Kaylin; Fenton, Ashley; Bidwell, Michelle Lawrence; Leonardi, Claudia; and Bowers, Edmond (2023) "Hybrid Group Mentorship for Youth Impacted by Familial Substance use Disorder," Journal of the Louisiana Public Health Association: Vol. 3: No. 2, Article 9.
DOI: 10.59020/35192
Available at: https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/jlpha/vol3/iss2/9