Supportive Adult-Youth Relationships
Supportive adult-youth relationships are an important component of youth programs and critical for those programs that want to create a welcoming and safe environment. Supportive adult-youth relationships help youth achieve better physical and mental health, and contribute to overall family health.33, 29, 30, 31, 32 When long-lasting, these relationships cushion youth against many of the negative influences and high-risk behaviors they navigate daily by reinforcing their sense of belonging, physical and psychological safety, and perception that they can make a contribution that matters.34, 15, 35, 36 Youth programs are ideal settings for youth to establish relationships with adults other than their parents.
Often the visible indication of a supportive relationship is the response program staff have to youth, particularly when staff witness discrimination, harassment, or bullying. Program staff indicate their support through consistent responses to inappropriate language, behavior, and bullying.38, 22
Staff should keep an open mind during all interactions with youth, paying special attention to those who see themselves as different due to social class, ability, sexuality, gender identity, citizenship, race, ethnicity, or culture. Program staff should be willing to learn from youth and to be sensitive to their values and those of their families, working to bridge any differences or conflicts.6
Working with any population of youth offers opportunities for a wide variety of interactions and youth program staff need to know how to leverage all interactions, especially the negative ones, into positive outcomes.
| Characteristics of Supportive Adult-Youth Relationships
Supportive adult-youth relationships are important because they help young people recover quickly from difficulties in their lives and lessen the negative effects of stressors they may encounter. In order for an adult-youth relationship to be considered high-quality and supportive, certain characteristics should be considered. Consider if the relationships are
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Strategies
Select each strategy to learn more.
Train staff on how to create and maintain supportive adult-youth relationships.
Ensure staff understand the benefits of supportive adult-youth relationships on youth's development.
Establish and enforce clear boundaries for adult-youth relationships (i.e., invitations to parties, contact via social media, etc.)
Create a group where youth program staff can seek out advice or assistance from each other when they are unsure of how to address certain situations or support certain youth.27
Train staff on how to respond to bullying; negative and rude language; verbal or physical aggression; youth viewing inappropriate material online; and youth with cognitive, social, physical, or withdrawal from social interactions.
Periodically discuss and answer questions about the populations represented within the youth program with program staff and youth.
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Using Relational Strategies It is not always clear how to establish a supportive adult-youth relationship because relationships between individuals develop differently. Program staff should try to grow positive, trusting relationships with youth through intentional investments of time and through interactions called relational strategies. |
| Developmental Levels and Inclusion Youth develop through four major areas of development: physical, social, emotional, and intellectual (cognitive). Understanding the developmental levels of youth helps us understand why youth interact in many situations. Growth in these areas can vary from youth to youth and our understanding of them can help us anticipate how youth interact and react to daily situations. |
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Responding to Bullying Bullying is intentional behavior that is unkind, cruel, or malicious. It involves an imbalance of power between youth, and is repeated over time. Program staff need to be able to recognize and respond to bullying consistently within the program. |
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Responding to Put-Downs Language is a powerful tool in helping to make a program feel welcome and safe for all youth. Program staff need to recognize speech from youth and adults that degrades or puts down individuals or groups. These remarks could be racist, sexist, homophobic, or demeaning. |
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Responding to Youth's Questions In a supportive adult-youth relationship, youth may ask program staff questions about controversial or sensitive topics. These conversations may focus on current events or private events in youth’s life. Being prepared to hear and respond to youth’s concerns is an important role for youth program staff. |
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Supporting LGBTQ Youth LGBTQ youth are particularly susceptible to discrimination and may feel less safe in a variety of environments. In addition, they are more likely to have been bullied or harassed than non-LGBTQ youth. It is important for program staff to be supportive of all youth but especially aware and supportive of LGBTQ youth. |
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Understanding and Supporting Youth in Crisis Sometimes youth do not verbally talk about their suicidal thoughts. Program staff need to be trained on how to identify and respond to youth who reveals through nonverbal or verbal indicators that they have thoughts of suicide. |
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Being Role Model A role model is an individual who is looked up to and serves as an example to others. Youth are looking for examples for a variety of behaviors and program staff have a unique opportunity to help guide youth in a long list of social, emotional, and practical skills. |