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UNDERSTANDING THE EXPERIENCE OF MENTOR FAMILIES IN THERAPEUTIC YOUTH MENTORING
Author(s) -
Weiler Lindsey M.,
Zimmerman Toni S.,
Haddock Shelley,
Krafchick Jennifer
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of community psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.585
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1520-6629
pISSN - 0090-4392
DOI - 10.1002/jcop.21595
Subject(s) - psychology , affect (linguistics) , juvenile delinquency , grounded theory , developmental psychology , medical education , medicine , qualitative research , sociology , social science , communication
The fragility of youth‐adult mentoring relationships requires innovative program components to support and sustain these relationships and enhance participant outcomes. The current study presents and explores the experience of a unique mentoring program component known as Mentor Families, in which three to four pairs of mentors and mentees engage in structured activities together. Grounded theory methods were utilized to explore the experiences of mentors (n = 212) and mentees (n = 87) involved in Mentor Families within a mentoring program for adolescents at risk for delinquency. Findings from the current study reveal that Mentor Families provides a place (a) for mentors to receive support and supervision, (b) for mentors and mentees to belong, and (c) for mentees to grow and learn. These findings suggest that Mentor Families warrants further investigation as to how they may positively affect mentoring relationships and programs.