Creative nonfiction approach to explore peer mentorship for individuals with spinal cord injury.

Abstract

Purpose: Research has examined peer mentorship to understand how it may help people with spinal cord injury (SCI) adapt and thrive. We still lack an in-depth understanding of the perspectives of SCI peer mentors and mentees on their dyadic relationship. This study was to explore the dyadic interactions and relationships between SCI peer mentors and mentees in a peer mentorship program delivered at a rehabilitation center. Research Method: Between 2016 and 2017, we recruited two dyads of peer mentor and mentee with SCI (N = 4). Each participant completed three one-on-one interviews (N = 12). Data were analyzed using a creative nonfiction approach. Results: Three unique dialogical stories were developed. Story 1 (A slow and steady start) described how mentors took a mentee-centered approach in building the relationship. Story 2 (Mentorship and friendship: negotiating the "grey zone") highlighted how mentees and mentors experienced challenges in navigating the boundaries between mentorship and friendship. Story 3 (The "endless" job for mentor) showcased how the relationship could enter a phase in which it could affect mentors' well-being. Conclusions: The stories highlighted important attributes to the relationships between SCI mentors and mentees. Considerations were suggested for community-based SCI organizations to integrate peer mentorship into rehabilitation settings, including optimizing mentorship introductions and matching, defining mentors' role explicitly, and building support systems for mentors. Impact and ImplicationsThe creative nonfiction stories in this study provided insights into some of the nuances of SCI peer mentorship relationships that are only broadly mentioned in past studies, including mentorship introduction, friendship-mentorship boundaries, and burdens on mentors. To develop and/or optimize SCI peer mentorship programs within rehabilitation, community-based organizations and rehabilitation institutions can consider an informal approach to facilitate mentor-mentee connections, while clearly defining roles and responsibilities for mentors. Because mentors may maintain contacts with mentees beyond rehabilitation settings, organizers of peer mentorship programs need to build support systems to ensure mentors can manage the extra demand.