The peer mentor experience in a physical activity intervention for mental health

Despite the effectiveness of peer-led health programs, few studies have been focused on the experiences of the peer mentors involved in such programs. The purpose of the current study was to explore the experiences of peer mentors involved in a peer-led physical activity program for students with me...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Mentoring & tutoring 2019-01, Vol.27 (1), p.68-87
Main Authors: Leenstra, Taylor, Keeler, Linda, Arthur-Cameselle, Jessyca, Russell, Keith
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anxiety
college
College Students
Depression
Depression (Psychology)
Exercise
Intervention
Mental depression
Mental Health
Mentors
Motivation
Peer Teaching
Physical Activity Level
Program Effectiveness
qualitative
self-determination
Student Attitudes
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Summary:Despite the effectiveness of peer-led health programs, few studies have been focused on the experiences of the peer mentors involved in such programs. The purpose of the current study was to explore the experiences of peer mentors involved in a peer-led physical activity program for students with mental health concerns, namely anxiety and depression. Participants were eight former peer mentors from a mid-size university who completed interviews regarding their motivation for serving as a peer mentor and the ways in which the program influenced them both during and after the program ended. Findings from an integrative analysis demonstrated that the mentors grew personally, professionally, and interpersonally from their participation. Further, mentors' experiences could be explained by the self-determination theory.
ISSN:1361-1267
1469-9745
DOI:10.1080/13611267.2019.1583410