THE PROCESS OF MENTORING PREGNANT ADOLESCENTS - AN EXPLORATORY-STUDY

The goal of this exploratory study was to describe, empirically, the p rocess that occurs in relationships between volunteer adult mentors an d pregnant adolescent mentees. A second goal was to generate testable hypotheses based on the findings concerning the mentor role. Case reco rds from 20 mentors were analyzed and the results revealed that the me ntors spent time in quasi-parenting roles helping the mentees access s ervices and resources, discussing interpersonal issues and infant deve lopment, and being involved in intimate derails of the mentees' lives. Criteria are discussed for conceptualizing some mentors as fulfilling quasi-parenting roles. It is hypothesized that there is a relationshi p between the neediness of pregnant adolescents and the extent of the quasi-parental roles that mentors assume.