Gifts and Costs of Mentorship, Exploring Experiences of Mentors of At-risk Youth

Abstract: 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 mentorsfrom Flamman, a youths-prevention organization in Malmö, Sweden, inquiringabout benefits and negative consequences they experienced as mentors, and whataspects contributed to the development of those outcomes. The study adoptedmixed methods design but only one part of data collection was successful,resulting in four in-depth interviews with mentors from Flamman. The resultsshowed numerous benefits deriving from a role of a mentor in terms of positivechanges in personality and attitudes, development of skills, and practical gains.Some negative consequences were revealed as well, specifically negative changesin personality and attitudes, and practical risks, although those were perceived asless important than the reported benefits. The nature of the experienced outcomesresulted from the interaction of the three actors of mentoring: the mentors, thementee, and the organization. The positive experience was generally characterizedby the ability to make a difference, experience success, and nurture positiverelationships with mentees and colleagues, while negative experience tended toresult from lack of success, difficult relationships, and barriers placed by outerinfluences. Overall, the mentors perceived the experience of mentoring inFlamman as positive and beneficial.