Getting to the heart of it: understanding mentoring relationship quality from the perspective of program supervisors. Issue 4 (8th August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dutton, Hilary; Bullen, Pat; Deane, Kelsey
• Is Part Of: Mentoring & tutoring. Volume 26:Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: 400
• Page End: 419
• Publication Date: 2018-08-08
• Subjects: Youth mentoring -- relationship quality -- school-based mentoring -- group mentoring -- program supervisors; Mentoring in education -- Periodicals; Tutors and tutoring -- Periodicals; 371.1460941
• DOI: 10.1080/13611267.2018.1530132
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1361-1267

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Mentoring relationship quality has frequently been associated with improved effectiveness of mentoring interventions for youth. As youth mentoring research has largely been undertaken in community-based, one-to-one mentoring programs in the United States, there have been recent calls to investigate mentoring relationships in specific contexts. Accordingly, this research examines relationship quality within nine mentor-mentee dyads involved in a New Zealand school-based mentoring program that combines one-to-one and group mentoring. This research identifies key features of and perceived influences on mentoring relationship quality using qualitative interviews with program staff and mentor portfolios. The results indicate that high quality relationships were formed during the program, and were primarily facilitated by mentors who demonstrated attunement, critical self-reflection, self-efficacy, and a holistic view of their mentee. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.