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

• DOI: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsx062
• Publication Date: 2017-03-10T20:25:23Z
• Authors: Sara Ahola Kohut; Jennifer Stinson; Paula Forgeron; Stephanie Luca; Lauren Harris
• Keywords: Mentorship; Personal development; Peer Support; Peer mentoring

To explore the perceived benefits and challenges of acting as a young adult peer mentor to adolescents with chronic illness.A qualitative descriptive study, using interviews focus group, explored perceptions mentors following participation in iPeer2Peer program, Skype-based peer-mentorship program for illness. Interviews group data were transcribed analyzed inductive content analysis.Ten (20.00 ± 1.49 years old, range 17-22 years; diagnosed pain [n = 4] or juvenile idiopathic arthritis 6]) who mentored four mentees (±2.55 mentees, 1-10 mentees) participated. Four main categories identified: social connection, personal growth, role mentee logistics mentorship.Acting online is feasible rewarding experience that supports mentor's own illness self-management, growth.