From crisis to capacity: Lessons learned from youth e-mentoring during the COVID-19 pandemic

Wright K, Levine DK, Salcido M, Garringer M, Almendra T, Bazell A, Kaufman MR (2024)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2024

Journal

Computers in Human Behavior Reports Elsevier

Book Volume: 14

Article Number: 100400

DOI: 10.1016/j.chbr.2024.100400

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic and associated need for social isolation left in-person youth mentoring programs scrambling to keep mentees and mentors connected, and many programs turned to e-mentoring. To better understand the transition period and to inform e-mentoring practice in a post-COVID world, this study explored the experience of mentoring programs shifting to e-mentoring during the first year of the pandemic. Seven remote focus group discussions were conducted with twenty-three staff members from twenty U.S. youth mentoring organizations that used the iCouldBe e-mentoring platform during Spring/summer 2020 or Fall/Winter 2020–2021. Thematic content analysis was used to uncover insights from the data. E-mentoring was successful overall for keeping mentees and mentors in touch, especially for matches with a strong connection before the pandemic. Zoom and text messaging were the most used virtual communication methods. Programs faced many challenges but also experienced unexpected positives, including a strong interest in future e-mentoring implementation. Participants recommended that programs interested in e-mentoring start small and with intention; they also requested a central website with e-mentoring support and ways to connect with other programs and mentors. Although the literature on e-mentoring remains limited, this study contributes a picture of e-mentoring success even during a global crisis.

Authors with CRIS profile

Maritza Salcido Pinera Lehrstuhl für Pädagogische Psychologie und Exzellenzforschung

Involved external institutions

Johns Hopkins University (JHU) US United States (USA) (US)

How to cite

APA:

Wright, K., Levine, D.K., Salcido, M., Garringer, M., Almendra, T., Bazell, A., & Kaufman, M.R. (2024). From crisis to capacity: Lessons learned from youth e-mentoring during the COVID-19 pandemic. Computers in Human Behavior Reports, 14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chbr.2024.100400

MLA:

Wright, Kate, et al. "From crisis to capacity: Lessons learned from youth e-mentoring during the COVID-19 pandemic." Computers in Human Behavior Reports 14 (2024).

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