Developing bonds: An exploration of the development of bonds between mentors and young people

2021 ◽  
pp. 135910452110275
Author(s):  
Rudi Dallos ◽  
Hassina Carder-Gilbert ◽  
Rebecca McKenzie
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Mentoring Relationships ◽  
Shared Meanings ◽  
Mentoring Relationship ◽  
Supportive Relationship ◽  
Emotional Dynamics

The article describes a piece of research exploring young people’s experience of a mentoring service (PROMISE). The scheme has been developed to offer vulnerable young people a supportive relationship to assist their lives. This article explores the nature of the mentoring relationship, including how mentors and mentees view its development. Conjoint interviews were conducted which also permitted an analysis of the nature of the conversational processes between the pairs, including how they constructed shared meanings of the development of their relationship. This provided a window into the emotional dynamics of their mentoring relationships. Implications for similar mentoring programmes are discussed alongside wider implications for assisting this group of young people.

Familial Interdependence, Socioeconomic Disadvantage, and the Formation of Familial Mentoring Relationships Within Black Families

2020 ◽  
pp. 074355842097912
Author(s):  
Janelle T. Billingsley ◽  
Ariana J. Rivens ◽  
Noelle M. Hurd
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Social Class ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Black Families ◽  
Socioeconomic Disadvantage ◽  
Mentoring Relationships ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Disadvantaged Youth ◽  
Mentoring Relationship ◽  
Mixed Method Design

This study used an explanatory sequential mixed-method design to explore the association between familial interdependence and familial mentoring relationship presence within black families. This study also examined how socioeconomic disadvantage may moderate the association between familial interdependence and familial mentoring presence. A sample of 216 black youth (59% girls; 41% boys) were surveyed, and a subsample of 25 participants were interviewed along with one of their parents, and one nonparental familial adult with whom the youth reported feeling emotionally close to learn more about the enactment of familial interdependence and the formation of familial mentoring relationships across social class. Logistic regression analyses revealed that greater valuing of familial interdependence was associated with a greater likelihood of having a familial mentoring relationship, but this association was present only among nonsocioeconomically disadvantaged youth. Data collected from participant interviews were analyzed to better understand this pattern of findings. These analyses provided some preliminary insights into why familial interdependence may predict familial mentor formation only among nonsocioeconomically disadvantaged youth. Implications of study findings for the promotion of familial mentoring relationships within black families are discussed.

Conferring Kinship: Examining Fictive Kinship Status in a Black Adolescent’s Natural Mentoring Relationship

2021 ◽  
pp. 009579842110026
Author(s):  
Edward D. Scott ◽  
Nancy L. Deutsch
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Mentoring Relationships ◽  
Relational Context ◽  
Mentoring Relationship ◽  
Fictive Kinship ◽  
Natural Mentoring ◽  
Narrative Methodology ◽  
Positive Feature ◽  
Nonparental Adults

This case study examines the way an adolescent Black boy extends his kinship network as a part of navigating and demonstrating agency in mentoring relationships with nonparental adults. We purposively selected one participant, Bodos, from the sample of a larger mixed-method study involving youth, aged 12 to 18 years, in the southeastern United States. Drawing on narrative methodology, we used a holistic-content approach to analyze Bodos’ responses to semistructured interviews. Bodos used several narratives to describe his experiences. We offer three findings: (a) Fictive kinship is a positive feature of Black adaptive culture that can be leveraged by Black youth as a tool for creating a distinct relational dynamic with their mentors, (b) adolescent Black boys possess skills and knowledge that both preexist and emerge within positive mentoring relationships, and (c) youth agency and expectations manifest in mentoring relationships to inform and influence those adults’ significance. This case study furthers the field’s understanding of how cultural practices can positively influence relational development and create a unique relational context and experience.

Exploring mentoring across gender, race, and generation in higher education

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sydney Freeman Jr ◽  
Frances Kochan
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Mentoring Relationships ◽  
White Female ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mentoring Relationship ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Extensive Body ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine a long-term mentoring relationship between a White female from the Traditional Generation and an African American male from the Xennial Generation, as engaged in a mentoring relationship within higher education institutions in the USA. The study investigated if, how and to what degree the differences and similarities between them influenced their mentoring relationship. Design/methodology/approach The authors used an autoethnographic approach involving extensive questioning, dialoguing, note keeping and analysis over eight months. Findings The analysis suggested that race had the greatest influence on the relationship. The primary reasons for mentoring success were similarities in family backgrounds and commonly held values. Research limitations/implications This study may not be generalizable to mentoring relationships that do not involve cultural differences in race, age or gender. Practical implications The paper offers a model for the types of strategies individuals can use in cross-racial mentoring endeavors to help build and sustain these relationships. It also includes suggestions for individuals engaged in mentoring relationships, which include gender, race or age differences, and organizations seeking to enhance diversity within their institutions. Originality/value There is not an extensive body of research on individual cross-racial, gender and generational mentoring that provides an analysis of the experience of those involved. Additionally, the model presented for examining cross-racial mentoring relationships is unique.

The role of mentoring relationships in counseling programs

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 168-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer N. Boswell ◽  
Angie D. Wilson ◽  
Marcella D. Stark ◽  
Anthony J Onwuegbuzie
Keyword(s):  
Counselor Education ◽  
Junior Faculty ◽  
Communication Style ◽  
Mentoring Relationships ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Education Programs ◽  
Counseling Programs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mentoring Relationship ◽  
The Usa

Purpose – The goals of a mentoring relationship are important to the development of mentees. The purpose of this paper is to focus on the specific needs of students and junior faculty in counseling programs. Design/methodology/approach – The authors used a psychological phenomenological research approach to understand the role and significance of a mentor and the mentoring relationship. In this qualitative research study, pre-tenured faculty, doctoral- and master’s-level students in counselor education programs in the USA were interviewed (n=30), to explore the mentorship needs. Findings – In the study, the authors identified 28 codes that emerged from the participants’ lived experiences, which then were organized into seven meta-codes. The seven meta-codes were: relationship between mentor and mentee; communication style or patterns; preferred gender of mentor; introduction to the relationship; mentee needs; mentee benefits; and experiences as a mentee. Originality/value – In the paper, the authors sought to explore the mentoring needs of students and junior faculty in counselor education programs and how these needs can begin to be addressed effectively.

Developing Effective Mentoring Relationships with Women in the Health and Fitness Industry: Suggestions from the Perspective of the Protégé

2008 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Glenna G. Bower
Keyword(s):  
Mentoring Relationships ◽  
Leadership Positions ◽  
Mentoring Relationship ◽  
Fitness Industry ◽  
Health And Fitness

This study introduced mentor characteristics and advancement techniques deemed necessary in developing a successful mentoring relationship with women within the health and fitness industry. The successful mentoring relationship may lead to the advancement of women within leadership positions in the health and fitness industry. The participants included 480 female members of the ACSM Health and Fitness Alliance. The study addressed characteristics of the mentor and advancement techniques. These two areas of inquiry provided implications for female protégés seeking to enter a successful mentoring relationship with a mentor in the health and fitness industry.

scholarly journals Mentoring Young African American Men and Transgender Women Who Have Sex With Men on Sexual Health: Formative Research for an HIV Mobile Health Intervention for Mentors (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle R Kaufman ◽  
Albert Casella ◽  
John Mark Wiginton ◽  
Wenjian Xu ◽  
David L DuBois ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
African American ◽  
Young People ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Mobile Technology ◽  
African American Men ◽  
Mentoring Relationships ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Healthy Behaviors ◽  
Sex With Men

BACKGROUND African American men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women bear a disproportionate burden of HIV. Young MSM account for 75% of this burden for youth. When youths lack socially protective resources such as strong networks of adults, including parents, teachers, or community members, mentors may play a critical role in promoting health behaviors. This is especially true for youth at risk for HIV, such as African American youth with sexual and gender minority (SGM) identities. In the past decade, natural mentoring and mentoring programs have proliferated as a key prevention and intervention strategy to improve outcomes for young people at risk for poor academic, social, and health issues. Mentors appear to be able to facilitate health promotion among young SGM by modeling healthy behaviors; however, mentors’ knowledge and resource needs regarding sexual health topics including HIV are understudied, as is the potential role of mobile technology in enhancing mentoring relationships and the ability of mentors to learn about sensitive issues faced by youth. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to explore how mentoring plays a role in the sexual health of African American SGM youth and understand how mentoring relationships can be strengthened through mobile technology to promote youth HIV prevention behaviors. METHODS In-depth interviews were conducted with African American SGM youth mentees (n=17) and mentors (n=20) to such youths in 3 Mid-Atlantic cities. Mentee interviews focused on discussions regarding sexual health and HIV and how a mentor could broach such topics. Mentor interviews explored whether sexual health and HIV are currently mentoring topics, mentors’ knowledge and confidence in mentoring on these issues, and barriers to discussions. All participants were asked if a mobile app could help facilitate mentoring on sensitive health issues, particularly HIV and sexual health. Data were transcribed, coded, and analyzed for relevant themes. RESULTS Sexual health was a common topic in mentoring relationships, occurring more in natural mentorships than in mentoring program pairs. Mentors and mentees felt positive about such discussions. Mentors expressed having limited knowledge beyond condom use and HIV testing, and expressed a need for more complete resources. Both mentors and mentees had mixed comfort levels when discussing sexual health. Sufficient trust and shared lived experiences made discussions easier. Mentees have multifaceted needs; however, mentors stated that an app resource that provided self-training, resources, support from other mentors, and tips for better mentoring could prove beneficial. CONCLUSIONS For the African American SGM community, access to natural mentors is crucial for young people to learn healthy behaviors. A mobile resource to assist mentors in confidently having discussions with mentees may be a promising way to promote healthy practices.

scholarly journals Experiences Of The Mentoring Relationship: A Study In A Mining Company

2005 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nelise Gilmore ◽  
Melinda Coetzee ◽  
Dries Schreuder
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Sampling Method ◽  
Mentoring Relationships ◽  
Mining Company ◽  
Informal Mentoring ◽  
Mentoring Relationship ◽  
Convenience Sampling ◽  
Analyse Data ◽  
The Relationship

The purpose of this study was to investigate the experiences of mentors and mentees with regard to the mentoring relationship in the South African organisational context. A convenience sampling method was used to involve mentors and mentees as participants (N = 10). Qualitative methods were used to collect and analyse data on the respondents’ experiences of the mentoring relationship. It was found that both mentors and mentees tend to prefer informal mentoring relationships because of the factors that contribute to the quality of the relationship. The implications of the findings are discussed.

Mentoring Relationship Quality Profiles and Their Association With Urban, Low-Income Youth’s Academic Outcomes

2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 443-462 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Lynn Liao ◽  
Bernadette Sánchez
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Academic Outcomes ◽  
Extended Family ◽  
Educational Aspirations ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Mentoring Relationships ◽  
Grade Point ◽  
Informal Mentoring ◽  
Mentoring Relationship ◽  
Person Centered Approach

This study aimed to (a) identify mentoring quality profiles based on characteristics of informal mentoring relationships, (b) examine how mentor and youth demographic characteristics were related to the profiles, and (c) investigate whether the profiles were related to youth’s academic outcomes. Participants were 411 ninth-grade urban, low-income students. Mentors were comprised of older siblings, extended family members, and non-familial adults. Using cluster analysis, we identified two mentoring quality relationship profiles: (a) less close and growth oriented and (b) closer and more growth oriented. Boys were more likely to have less close and growth-oriented relationship profiles or to be in the non-mentored group compared with girls. Univariate tests showed differences among relationship profile groups and non-mentored groups on intrinsic motivation, educational aspirations and expectations, perceived economic benefits, and limitations of education and grade point average (GPA). The study reveals the importance of taking a within-group, person-centered approach when examining mentoring relationships.

Who is your ideal mentor? An exploratory study of mentor prototypes

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 160-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Frances Bailey ◽  
Elora C Voyles ◽  
Lisa Finkelstein ◽  
Kristina Matarazzo
Keyword(s):  
Mentoring Relationships ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mentoring Relationship ◽  
Matching Process ◽  
Mentoring Functions ◽  
And Behaviors ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Ethnicity And Gender ◽  
The Ideal ◽  
Mentoring Characteristics

Purpose – One of the main aspects of a mentoring relationship involves the expectations that mentees have of an ideal mentor. However, the traits that mentees envision in an ideal mentor are unclear. The purpose of this paper is to present series of studies examined mentees’ ideas about their ideal mentor’s physical characteristics and mentoring functions. The authors also examined gender and racial (white/nonwhite) differences in ideal mentor preferences. Design/methodology/approach – The two studies examined what mentees envision when they picture their ideal mentor, and whether the ideal mentor prototypes varied by participants’ ethnicity and gender. Study 2 further examined mentees’ ideal mentor characteristics in a forced choice ranking scale and the ideal mentor scale (Rose, 2003). Findings – When asked to describe their ideal mentor’s appearance, participants provided detailed descriptions of the ideal mentor’s features. They also emphasized mentoring characteristics and behaviors, such as guidance. Participants’ preferences for their ideal mentor’s gender and race varied by the question format (open-ended description vs scale).When asked to envision their ideal mentor (Study 2), participants emphasized guidance, interpersonal warmth, and ethical integrity. Other mentoring characteristics and behaviors emerged in the content coding framework. Prototypes of the ideal mentors varied based on ethnicity and gender, but also on how the question was presented. Originality/value – These findings suggest that the ideal mentor prototype involves guidance, understanding, and role modeling ethical values. Like other organizational roles (i.e. leaders), awareness of these traits informs how employees view mentors and what they expect from mentoring relationships. Facilitators of mentoring programs can consider the ideal mentor prototype during the matching process and the initial stages of the mentoring relationship.

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