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Initial motives and organizational context enabling female mentors' engagement in formal mentoring – A qualitative study from the mentors' perspective

Author

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  • Larsson, Madelene
  • Pettersson, Camilla
  • Eriksson, Charli
  • Skoog, Therése

Abstract

Mentoring aimed at supporting young people and their development shows promising results, but its delivery is threatened by the difficulty of recruiting sufficient numbers of mentors and keeping them engaged over time. The aim of this study was to help overcome this problem by examining female mentors' motives for engaging in formal voluntary mentoring of young women, and exploring how organizations can facilitate these mentors' satisfaction in staying engaged over time. Based on qualitative interviews with 12 mentors in a Swedish non-governmental organization, the Girls Zone, we show six categories of mentor motives related to initial motivation for engagement: self-interested reasons, empowering women, being a responsible citizen, sense of compassion, self-awareness, and longing for meaningfulness. In addition, we show five categories related to the organizational work of satisfying mentors: a win-win relationship, a feeling of ambivalence despite clear responsibilities and contributions, customized support and guidance, a caring organizational identity, and a commitment to pursue with feelings of duty and emotional connection. Using self-determination theory as the framework to guide our understanding of the findings, we conclude that mentors' motivations for engaging as mentors are linked to the fulfillment of basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Practical recommendations are offered in light of the findings.

Suggested Citation

  • Larsson, Madelene & Pettersson, Camilla & Eriksson, Charli & Skoog, Therése, 2016. "Initial motives and organizational context enabling female mentors' engagement in formal mentoring – A qualitative study from the mentors' perspective," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 17-26.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:71:y:2016:i:c:p:17-26
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2016.10.026
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Green, L.W., 2006. "Public health asks of systems science: To advance our evidence-based practice, can you help us get more practice-based evidence?," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 96(3), pages 406-409.
    2. Martin, Shannon M. & Sifers, Sarah K., 2012. "An evaluation of factors leading to mentor satisfaction with the mentoring relationship," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 34(5), pages 940-945.
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    Cited by:

    1. Eberhard Raithelhuber, 2019. "Rearranging Differential Inclusion through Civic Solidarity: Loose Coupling in Mentorship for “Unaccompanied Minors”," Social Inclusion, Cogitatio Press, vol. 7(2), pages 149-164.
    2. Shier, Micheal L. & Larsen-Halikowski, Jesssica & Gouthro, Stephanie, 2020. "Characteristics of volunteer motivation to mentor youth," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 111(C).
    3. Vaaltein, Sive & Schiller, Ulene, 2017. "Addressing multi-dimensional child poverty: The experiences of caregivers in the Eastern Cape, South Africa," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 227-236.

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