Abstract Peer mentorship programs with returned citizens (i.e., formally incarcerated) have recently emerged as a model that provides mentees and mentors with opportunities to practice new roles that broaden their self-identity and consequently can also assist with maintaining ongoing, non-recidivating behavior. Yet, few evidence-based models focus directly on supporting the peer mentor’s identity change process. This study employed a pretest–posttest evaluation of a pilot six-week training program, the Credible Messengers Institute, designed to support subjective factors that strengthen the self-identity change process among returning citizens (N = 35) who are mentoring adjudicated youth. Findings revealed a statistically significant improvement in subjective factors, including, self-esteem, level of hope, and elements of self-identity change behaviors (self-knowledge; self-awareness and self-reflection; self-care) from pretest to posttest. The issue of developing the self-identity of returned citizens contributes to a wider discussion on the challenges and recent trends in the development of post-incarceration services and supports. Future research should replicate this pilot study with additional participants and rigorous research methodologies to further substantiate the subjective changes among peer mentors.

中文翻译：

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“重要的是内部”：参与同辈辅导支持计划的归国公民主观变化的初步研究

摘要与回国公民（即正式被监禁）的同伴指导计划最近成为一种模式，该模式为受指导者和指导者提供了机会来练习新的角色，以扩大他们的自我认同，因此也可以帮助维持持续的，不沉迷的行为。但是，很少有基于证据的模型直接关注于支持同伴导师的身份更改过程。这项研究采用了一项为期六周的试验性培训计划“可信信使学院”的前测后测评，该计划旨在支持主观因素，这些因素可以加强受辅导青年的回国公民（N = 35）的自我认同改变过程。调查结果显示，主观因素（包括自尊，希望水平，从自我测试到自我测试，自我认同的要素都会改变行为（自我知识；自我意识和自我反思；自我照顾）。发展回返公民的自我认同的问题有助于就监禁后服务和支持发展中的挑战和近期趋势进行更广泛的讨论。未来的研究应将此试验性研究与其他参与者和严格的研究方法相结合，以进一步证实同行指导者之间的主观变化。