Mentoring Within Groups
摘要
Nearly half of all youth mentoring in the United States happens within groups. Group mentoring models emphasize the growth and development of mentees via relational, recreational, and educational activities, but they also involve social interactions among group members and opportunities for positive group processes. This chapter addresses four topics related to group mentoring for children and adolescents: (a) variations on group mentoring, (b) research on group mentoring effectiveness, (c) theories emphasizing the power of relationships and social connections within these groups, and (d) considerations for programs across childhood and adolescence. Throughout the chapter, examples of specific programs are provided to illustrate the various ideas and concepts discussed. The chapter concludes with suggestions on how group work might be done within the context of professional youth mentoring programs.