Northampton Electronic Collection of Theses and Research

Peer mentoring during the transition to university: assessing the usage of a formal scheme within the UK

Collings, R. M., Swanson, V. and Watkins, R. (2016) Peer mentoring during the transition to university: assessing the usage of a formal scheme within the UK. Studies in Higher Education. 41(11), pp. 1995-2010. 0307-5079.

Item Type: Article
Abstract: Although mentoring has become increasingly popular within UK higher education, there is little evaluative research. The current longitudinal study aimed to evaluate the usage of a peer mentoring scheme during a first semester at university amongst 124 students. Results indicate that during the first week at university the majority accessed the scheme but this then diminished by 10 weeks. There were strong positive correlations among contact, satisfaction and perceived mentor social support. Additionally, expectations of mentoring mediated the relationship between contact time and satisfaction. Correlations with student well-being and intention to withdraw, however, indicated that students reporting high levels of mentor support were worse off than those reporting less support. Students wanting more support from mentors were significantly lower on levels of integration and well-being. Findings suggest a potentially vulnerable group of students who access and use the mentoring scheme because of the problems they are experiencing.
Uncontrolled Keywords: Peer mentoring, student transition, student retention, student well-being, first year in higher education
Subjects: L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB2300 Higher Education
L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB1027.5 Educational counseling
L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB2300 Higher Education > LB2343.32 College student orientation
Creators: Collings, Rosalyn M, Swanson, Vivien and Watkins, Ruth
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes: University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Faculty of Health & Society > Psychology
Faculties > Faculty of Health & Society > Psychology
Date: 2016
Date Type: Publication
Page Range: pp. 1995-2010
Journal or Publication Title: Studies in Higher Education
Volume: 41
Number: 11
Language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2015.1007939
ISSN: 0307-5079
Status: Published / Disseminated
Refereed: Yes
URI: http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/id/eprint/8597

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