This paper attempts to answer questions about the role that non-related adults may play in the lives of adolescents, particularly who the non-related adults are that adolescents turn to; how helpful do adolescents find these adults; and how these patterns change by race, socioeconomic status, and gender. The paper draws from the research literature specifically examining the adults to whom adolescents turn for help and social support. The first section of the paper provides information about the age-period of adolescence and includes both historical perspectives and current knowledge about the social, emotional, and psychological worlds of adolescents. The second section provides prevalence rates of the number of adolescents in need of help. The third section reviews the literature on adolescent stress and coping in order to provide a context with which to perceive how adolescents adapt to developmental and environmental stresses. The fourth section explores empirical research on adolescent help-seeking and social support. In the fifth section, some information regarding the adult's perspective about adolescence in general is provided. A conclusion outlines suggestions for the planning of mentoring programs for adolescents based on some conclusions drawn from the reviewed research. A 241-item list of references is included. (JB)