A Rudimentary Framework Of The Emergence Of Naturally-Occurring Mentorships

<p>Cross-age relationships between youth and adults that develop organically outside the construct of youth programs are examples of natural mentoring relationships. In the United States, research has demonstrated the positive impact of these mentorships. Scholars have begun applying concepts learned from natural mentoring to formal mentoring schema; however, much work is yet to be done in examining how these relationships emerge and the factors that impact their development. Designed in partnership with a private secondary school in rural México, this study aimed to unpack these questions using a grounded theory approach. Current students, alumni, and teachers participated in the study through semi-structured interviews. Data from the interviews were analyzed through open, axial, and selective coding. Critical realism was used as an organizing principle during the selective coding process. Three core categories emerged from the data–factors of readiness, approaches of engagement, and states of alignment. These constructs in conjunction with influences of group-level and community-level factors make up a rudimentary framework for the emergence of natural mentoring relationships.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D. Doctor of Philosophy

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation - Public Access

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Community Psychology

Year dc:date.available

2023

Author dc:creator

• Baker Cervantes, Aaron S

Contributors dc:contributor

• Dr. Tiffeny Jiménez
• Dr. Ericka Mingo
• Dr. Judah Viola

• natural mentoring
• adolescents
• emerging adults
• interpersonal relationships
• grounded theory
• critical realism
• Community Psychology

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.nl.edu/diss/746

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.nl.edu:diss-1801