Gifts and Costs of Mentorship, Exploring Experiences of Mentors of At-risk Youth
2017 (English)Independent thesis Advanced level (degree of Master (Two Years)), 20 credits / 30 HE credits
Student thesis
Abstract [en]
To date, a little is understood about the experiences of mentors of at-risk youths.
The present study sought to enrich this understanding by connecting with mentors
from Flamman, a youths-prevention organization in Malmö, Sweden, inquiring
about benefits and negative consequences they experienced as mentors, and what
aspects contributed to the development of those outcomes. The study adopted
mixed methods design but only one part of data collection was successful,
resulting in four in-depth interviews with mentors from Flamman. The results
showed numerous benefits deriving from a role of a mentor in terms of positive
changes in personality and attitudes, development of skills, and practical gains.
Some negative consequences were revealed as well, specifically negative changes
in personality and attitudes, and practical risks, although those were perceived as
less important than the reported benefits. The nature of the experienced outcomes
resulted from the interaction of the three actors of mentoring: the mentors, the
mentee, and the organization. The positive experience was generally characterized
by the ability to make a difference, experience success, and nurture positive
relationships with mentees and colleagues, while negative experience tended to
result from lack of success, difficult relationships, and barriers placed by outer
influences. Overall, the mentors perceived the experience of mentoring in
Flamman as positive and beneficial.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Malmö högskola/Hälsa och samhälle , 2017. , p. 54
Keywords [en]
At-risk youth, crime prevention, mentoring, mentors' experience, outcomes for mentors
National Category
Social Sciences
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:mau:diva-25105Local ID: 23157OAI: oai:DiVA.org:mau-25105DiVA, id: diva2:1486610
External cooperation
Flamman Ungdomarnas Hus
Educational program
HS Criminology
2020-11-032020-11-032022-06-27Bibliographically approved