Perceived Influences of Mentoring on Mentors' Social Well-Being: Social Self-Efficacy and Civic Engagement as Mediators of Long-Term Associations

In literature, there is a paucity of research examining the outcomes of mentoring programs for mentors. The goal of this study was to enhance understanding of the long-term impact of mentoring experiences on mentors' social well-being by testing a model in which the perceived influence of mentoring on work choices, volunteer choices and level of active participation in the community are associated with social self-efficacy, civic engagement (attitudes and behaviours), and, in turn, with social wellbeing. This study surveyed cohorts of former mentors (N = 203; 83% female) who took part in the mentoring and service-learning program called Mentor UP in Italy. Results showed the mediating role of social self-efficacy between the influence of mentoring on active participation in the community and social well-being (β = 0.05, p = 0.042) and between the same perceived influence of mentoring and civic engagement behaviour (β = 0.08, p = 0.009). Moreover, the influence of mentoring and social well-being was fully mediated by participants' current levels of civic engagement (attitudes and behaviours). These findings suggest that mentoring experiences can sustain college students' interpersonal effectiveness, civic responsibility and social well-being in long-lasting ways. Mentoring programs should therefore promote and measure these outcomes.