Although most mentoring programs for youth are structured around intergenerational relationships, a growing number of programs rely on cross-age peer mentoring. Such programs capitalize on the availability of youth mentors to promote positive outcomes in younger peers. This study used a multilevel meta-analytic approach to estimate the effect size of cross-age peer mentoring programs and evaluate potential moderators of peer mentoring program effectiveness. Analyses included six studies and revealed a medium-sized overall effect of cross-age peer mentoring programs (g = 0.45). Several characteristics moderated effect sizes, with larger effects for programs that were conducted outside of the school setting (i.e., weekend, summer, or in community settings), conducted in urban settings, and had moderate/high levels of adult oversight and supervision. Results highlight the potential benefits of cross-age peer mentoring for youth.

中文翻译：

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青年跨年龄同伴辅导：荟萃分析

尽管大多数青年辅导项目都是围绕代际关系构建的，但越来越多的项目依赖于跨年龄的同伴辅导。这些计划利用青年导师的可用性来促进年轻同龄人的积极成果。本研究使用多层次元分析方法来估计跨年龄同伴指导计划的影响大小，并评估同伴指导计划有效性的潜在调节因素。分析包括六项研究，揭示了跨年龄同伴指导计划的中等总体效果（g = 0.45）。几个特征调节了影响大小，对于在学校环境之外（即周末、夏季或社区环境）进行的项目、在城市环境中进行的项目以及具有中/高水平的成人监督和监督的项目具有更大的影响。结果突出了跨年龄同伴辅导对青年的潜在好处。