Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-ndw9j Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-10T14:03:51.574Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Assessment of the Efficacy of a Peer Mentoring Program in a University Setting

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 January 2013

Miguel A. Alonso*
Affiliation:
Universidad Complutense (Spain)
Gloria Castaño
Affiliation:
Universidad Complutense (Spain)
Ana M. Calles
Affiliation:
Universidad Complutense (Spain)
Silvia Sánchez-Herrero
Affiliation:
Universidad Complutense (Spain)
*
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Miguel Aurelio Alonso García. Departamento de Psicología Diferencial y del Trabajo. Facultad de Psicología. Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Campus de Somosaguas. 28223 Madrid. (Spain). E-mail: m.alonso@psi.ucm.es

Abstract

In the present study, the efficacy of a formal mentoring program applied to fourth and fifth year students of the Psychology Faculty of the Complutense University is assessed. In this program, fifth-year students took on the role of mentors and fourth-year students, the role of mentees. To assess the efficacy, the group of mentors was compared with a group of non-mentors and the group of mentees with a group of non-mentees, before and after the program, taking into account the variables related to career development function (knowledge acquired of the academic setting and satisfaction with the career of Psychology) and the psychosocial function (self-concept, self-esteem, self-efficacy, and involvement).

The results show a statistically significant increase in the knowledge acquired about the academic setting as a consequence of the program, both in the group of mentors and in the group of mentees. Moreover, the mentors achieved a better average grade in the subjects of the specialty of Work Psychology. There were no statistically significant differences between the experimental group and the control group in satisfaction with the career of Psychology, or in self-concept, self-esteem, or self-efficacy.

En el presente estudio se evalúa la eficacia de un programa de mentoring formal implantado en la Facultad de Psicología de la Universidad Complutense en alumnos de segundo ciclo. En dicho programa los alumnos de quinto curso asumían el rol de mentores y los de cuarto curso el rol de telémacos. Para evaluar la eficacia se contrasta el grupo de mentores con el grupo de no mentores y el grupo de telémacos con el grupo de no telémacos, antes y después del programa, atendiendo a variables relacionadas con la función de desarrollo de carrera (conocimientos adquiridos sobre el entorno académico, y satisfacción con la carrera de Psicología) y con la función psicosocial (autoconcepto, autoestima, autoeficacia e implicación).

Los resultados encontrados muestran un incremento estadísticamente significativo en los conocimientos adquiridos respecto al entorno académico como consecuencia del programa, tanto para el grupo de mentores como para el grupo de telémacos. Además, los mentores consiguen un mejor promedio en las calificaciones de las asignaturas de la especialidad de Psicología del Trabajo. No aparecen diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre el grupo experimental y el grupo control ni en la satisfacción con la carrera de Psicología, ni en el autoconcepto, la autoestima y la autoeficacia.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Allen, T. D. (2003). Mentoring others: A dispositional and motivational approach. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 62(1), 134154.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Allen, T. D., & Eby, L. T. (2004). Factors related to mentor reports of mentoring functions provided: Gender and relational characteristics. Sex Roles, 50(1–2), 129139.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Allen, T. D., McManus, S. E., & Russell, J. E. A. (1999). Newcomer socialization and stress: Formal peer relationships as a source of support. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 54, 453470.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Alonso, M. A., Castaño, G., Sánchez-Herrero, S., & Calles, A. (2004). La implicación: un rasgo fundamental en el incremento de la afición deportiva. VII European Conference on Psychological Assessment. Benalmádena, Spain.Google Scholar
Baessler, J., & Schwarzer, R. (1996). Evaluación de la autoeficacia: adaptación española de la escala de autoeficacia general. Ansiedad y Estrés, 2(1), 18.Google Scholar
Bandura, A. (1977). Self-efficacy: Toward unifying theory of behavior change. Psychological Review, 84, 191215.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chao, G. T., Walz, P. M., & Gardner, P. D. (1992). Formal and informal mentorships: A comparison on mentoring functions and contrast with non mentored counterparts. Personnel Psychology, 45, 619636.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dalton, G., Thompson, P., & Price, R. (1977). The four stages of professionals' careers. A new look at performance of professionals. Organizational Dynamics, 6(1), 1942.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dansky, K. H. (1996). The effect of group mentoring on career outcomes. Group and Organization Management, 21, 521.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Echeburúa, E. (1995). Evaluación y tratamiento de la fobia social. Barcelona: Martínez Roca.Google Scholar
Fagenson-Eland, E. A., Marks, M. A., & Amendola, K. L. (1997). Perceptions of mentoring relationships. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 51, 2942.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Garvey, B., & Alrd, G. (2003). An introduction to the symposium on mentoring: Issues and prospects. British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 31(1), 39.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Goldsmith, R. E., & Emmert, J. (1991). Measuring product category involvement: A multitrait-multimethod study. Journal of Business Research, 23, 363371.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Green, C. E., & King, V. G. (2001). Sisters mentoring sisters: Africentric leadership development for Black women in the academy. Journal of Negro Education, 70(3), 156165.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Greenwald, A. G., & Leavitt, C. (1984). Audience involvement in advertising: Four levels. Journal of Consumer Research, 11, 581592.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hair, J. F., Anderson, R. E., Tatham, R. L., & Black, W. C. (1999). Multivariate data analysis (5th ed.). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.Google Scholar
Hall, D. T. (1976). Careers in organizations. Glenview, IL: Scott-Foresman.Google Scholar
Hamilton, B. A., & Scandura, T. A. (2003). E-mentoring: Implications for organizational learning and development in a wired world. Organizational Dynamics, 31(4), 388402.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hooker, C., Nakamura, J., & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2003). The group as a mentor: Social capital and the systems model of creativity. In Paulus, P.B et al. (Eds.), Group creativity: Innovation through collaboration. London: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Jain, K., & Srinivasan, N. (1990). An empirical assessment of multiple operationalizations of involvement: Advances in Consumer Research, 17, 594602.Google Scholar
Kalet, A., Krackov, S., & Rey, M. (2002). Mentoring for a new era. Academic Medicine, 77(11), 11711172.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kaye, B., & Jacobson, B. (1995, April). Mentoring: A group guide. Training and Development, 49(4), 2227.Google Scholar
Kelly, S., & Schweitzer, J. H. (1997). Mentoring within a graduate school setting. College Student Journal, 31, 130148.Google Scholar
Kram, K. E. (1983). Phases of the mentor relationship. Academy of Management Journal, 26(4), 608625.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kram, K. E. (1985). Mentoring at work: Developmental relationships in organizational life. Glenview, IL: Scott-Foresman.Google Scholar
Levinson, D. J., Darrow, C. N., Klein, E. B., Levinson, M. H., & McKeen, B. (1978). The seasons of a man's life. New York: Knopf.Google Scholar
Linnehan, F. (2001). The relation of a work-based mentoring program to the academic performance and behavior of African American students. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 59, 310325CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McQuarrie, E. F., & Munson, J. M. (1992). A Revised Product Involvement Inventory: Improved usability and validity. Advances in Consumer Research, 19, 108115.Google Scholar
Munson, J. M., & McQuarrie, E. F. (1987). The factorial and predictive validities of a revised measure of Zaichkowsky's Personal Involvement Inventory. Educational Psychology and Measurement, 47, 773782.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Musitu, G., & García, F. (2001). Escala de autoconcepto AF-5 Forma 5. Madrid: TEA Ediciones.Google Scholar
Noe, R. A. (1988). An investigation of the determinants of successful assigned mentoring relationships. Personnel Psychology, 58, 457479.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ragins, B. R., & Cotton, J. L. (1999). Mentor functions and outcomes: A comparison of men and women in formal and informal mentoring relationships. Journal of Applied Psychology, 84, 529550.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rosenberg, M. (1965). Society and the adolescent self-image. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Scandura, T. A. (1992). Mentorship and career mobility: An empirical investigation. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 13, 169173CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Scandura, T. A., & Schriesheim, C. A. (1991). Effects of structural characteristics of mentoring dyads on protégé career outcomes. In Ray, D. F., & Schnake, M. E. (Eds.), Proceedings of the Southern Management Association (pp. 206208). Mississippi, MS: Southern Management Association.Google Scholar
Scandura, T. A., & Williams, E. A. (2001). An investigation of the moderating effects of gender on the relationships between mentorship initiation and protégé perceptions of mentoring functions. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 59(3), 342363.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tenenbaum, H. R., Crosby, F. J., & Gliner, M. D. (2001). Mentoring relationships in graduate school. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 59, 326341.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tokar, D. M., Fischer, A. R., & Subich, L. M. (1998). Personality and vocational behavior: A selective review of the literature, 1993–1997. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 53, 115153.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Valle, A., González, R., Núñez, J. C., Vieiro, P., Gómez, M. L., & Rodríguez, S. (1999). Un modelo cognitivo-motivacional explicativo del rendimiento académico en la universidad. Estudios de Psicología, 62, 77100.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Valverde, A., García, E., & Romero, S. (2003). Una experiencia de orientación en la Universidad a través de la formación de estudiantes mentores. Retrieved from www.mediafora.net/proyectomentor/info/simus_us.doc.Google Scholar
Wang, J. (2001). Contexts of mentoring and opportunities for learning to teach: A comparative study of mentoring practice. Teaching and Teacher Education, 17(1), 5173.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Zaichkowsky, J. L. (1985). Measuring the involvement construct. Journal of Consumer Research, 12, 341352.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Zaichkowsky, J. L. (1987). The emotional aspect of product involvement. Advances in Consumer Research, 14, 3235.Google Scholar