Been There, Done That: The Experience of Acting as a Young Adult Mentor to Adolescents Living With Chronic Illness

J Pediatr Psychol. 2017 Oct 1;42(9):962-969. doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsx062.

Abstract

Objective: To explore the perceived benefits and challenges of acting as a young adult peer mentor to adolescents with chronic illness.

Methods: A qualitative descriptive study, using interviews and a focus group, explored the perceptions of young adult peer mentors following participation in the iPeer2Peer program, a Skype-based peer-mentorship program for adolescents with chronic illness. Interviews and focus group data were transcribed and analyzed using inductive content analysis.

Results: Ten peer mentors (20.00 ± 1.49 years old, range 17-22 years; diagnosed with chronic pain [n = 4] or juvenile idiopathic arthritis [n = 6]) who mentored four mentees (±2.55 mentees, range = 1-10 mentees) participated. Four main categories were identified: social connection, personal growth, mentor role in mentee growth, and logistics of mentorship.

Conclusions: Acting as a peer mentor online is a feasible and rewarding experience that supports the mentor's own illness self-management, social connection, and personal growth.

Keywords: adolescents; chronic illness; peers; social support.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Adolescent
  • Arthritis, Juvenile / psychology*
  • Arthritis, Juvenile / rehabilitation*
  • Chronic Pain / psychology*
  • Chronic Pain / rehabilitation*
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Female
  • Focus Groups
  • Health Behavior
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Humans
  • Internet
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Male
  • Mentoring*
  • Mentors / psychology*
  • Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care
  • Peer Group
  • Personal Satisfaction
  • Program Evaluation
  • Qualitative Research
  • Young Adult

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