Rewriting stories of trauma through peer-to-peer mentoring for and by at-risk young people

Douglas, Lesley J; Jackson, Debra; Woods, Cindy; Usher, Kim

doi:10.1111/inm.12579

Author(s)

Douglas, Lesley J

Jackson, Debra

Woods, Cindy

Usher, Kim

Publication Date

2019-06

Abstract

Adverse childhood experiences are strongly associated with the development of mental health disorders during the life span. When mental health issues are not effectively dealt with during the adolescent period, young people can become long-term consumers in the mental health system. A widely accepted method of intervention is the provision of mentoring. More recently, young people have been fulfilling the role of mentor to their peers and mentoring has played a large role in supporting young people who are considered at-risk of not achieving the expected psychosocial, educational, and/or developmental goals. What is not known is why young people, previously identified as being at-risk, are motivated to mentor their at-risk peers. The study aim was to examine what motivates previously recognized at-risk young people to provide mentoring to their at-risk peers. Participants were twelve previously recognized at-risk young people recruited through a formal peer-to-peer mentoring programme. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and the data analysed through narrative inquiry and reported in accordance with the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research guidelines (COREQ). Results indicate that young people are motivated by their own lived experiences of trauma(s) to provide at-risk peer mentoring. The experience of mentoring afforded opportunities to rewrite individual personal journeys of trauma through mentoring their at-risk peers, thus constructing a more positive self-identity. Outcomes of developing positive peer relationships and prosocial behaviours could significantly assist mental health clinicians in providing more acceptable care to clients in an age group known to be reluctant to accept traditional mental health intervention.

Citation

International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 28(3), p. 744-756

ISSN

1447-0349

1445-8330

Pubmed ID

30710411

Link

https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/27756

Language

en

Publisher

Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia

Title

Rewriting stories of trauma through peer-to-peer mentoring for and by at-risk young people

Type of document

Journal Article

Entity Type

Publication

Author(s)	Douglas, Lesley J Jackson, Debra Woods, Cindy Usher, Kim
Publication Date	2019-06
Abstract	Adverse childhood experiences are strongly associated with the development of mental health disorders during the life span. When mental health issues are not effectively dealt with during the adolescent period, young people can become long-term consumers in the mental health system. A widely accepted method of intervention is the provision of mentoring. More recently, young people have been fulfilling the role of mentor to their peers and mentoring has played a large role in supporting young people who are considered at-risk of not achieving the expected psychosocial, educational, and/or developmental goals. What is not known is why young people, previously identified as being at-risk, are motivated to mentor their at-risk peers. The study aim was to examine what motivates previously recognized at-risk young people to provide mentoring to their at-risk peers. Participants were twelve previously recognized at-risk young people recruited through a formal peer-to-peer mentoring programme. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and the data analysed through narrative inquiry and reported in accordance with the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research guidelines (COREQ). Results indicate that young people are motivated by their own lived experiences of trauma(s) to provide at-risk peer mentoring. The experience of mentoring afforded opportunities to rewrite individual personal journeys of trauma through mentoring their at-risk peers, thus constructing a more positive self-identity. Outcomes of developing positive peer relationships and prosocial behaviours could significantly assist mental health clinicians in providing more acceptable care to clients in an age group known to be reluctant to accept traditional mental health intervention.
Citation	International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 28(3), p. 744-756
ISSN	1447-0349 1445-8330
Pubmed ID	30710411
Link	https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/27756
Language	en
Publisher	Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia
Title	Rewriting stories of trauma through peer-to-peer mentoring for and by at-risk young people
Type of document	Journal Article
Entity Type	Publication

Rewriting stories of trauma through peer-to-peer mentoring for and by at-risk young people

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