Purpose

This study aimed to examine factors associated with volunteer role identity in mentors of school-based mentoring programmes.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on established theoretical models of volunteerism (the Role Identity Model), and research and theory on mentoring programmes, an integrated model of predictors of mentor volunteer role identity was tested. Seventy-one mentors (63 females, mean age 36 years) completed a survey with measures of habit, subjective norms, satisfaction with the mentor-mentee relationship, relationship closeness, social skills and mentor role identity. Path analysis was used for data analysis.

Findings

Fit indexes revealed an acceptable fit to the data. There were six significant paths. Habit and subjective norms were directly related to role identity. The association between mentor role identity and two further predictors, satisfaction with the mentor–mentee relationship and social skills was respectively fully and partially mediated by relationship closeness.

Practical implications

Findings can inform mentoring programmes in supporting mentors to develop a close relationship with their mentees and promote the development of a role identity as a volunteer among mentors. A stronger role identity is in turn expected to enhance mentor retention in the programme.

Originality/value

An important and novel finding of this study is that relationship closeness contributes to mentors developing a volunteer role identity. Also, for the first time, the importance for mentors of support from significant others in fostering sustained volunteer engagement has been examined.

中文翻译：

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关系亲密性，习惯和感知的主观规范可作为学校指导计划中志愿者角色身份的预测指标

目的

这项研究旨在检查与基于学校的辅导计划的辅导员中的志愿者角色认同相关的因素。

设计/方法/方法

借助既定的志愿服务理论模型（角色身份模型）以及指导计划的研究和理论，测试了指导者志愿者角色身份预测器的集成模型。七十一名导师（63名女性，平均年龄36岁）完成了一项调查，包括习惯，主观规范，对导师-受训者关系的满意度，亲密关系，社交技能和导师角色身份的测量。路径分析用于数据分析。

发现

拟合指数显示对数据的可接受拟合。有六个重要路径。习惯和主观规范与角色认同直接相关。指导者角色认同与另外两个预测因子，对指导者-受训者关系的满意度和社交技能之间的关联分别由关系亲密性部分或部分介导。

实际影响

调查结果可以为指导计划提供信息，以支持指导者与他们的受指导者建立紧密的关系，并促进在指导者中扮演志愿者角色的角色发展。反过来，更强的角色认同也有望提高该计划中的导师保留率。

创意/价值

这项研究的一个重要且新颖的发现是，亲密关系有助于指导者发展志愿者角色的身份。同样，这也是第一次，在重要的指导者的指导下，在促进志愿者持续参与中的重要性。