Equal peer e-mentoring for online graduate students: a case study and mediation model

ABSTRACT Equal peer e-mentoring in digital learning is emerging to promote online students' psychosocial wellness and academic success. The study purposes were (1) to evaluate the effectiveness of one equal peer e-mentoring program and (2) to validate a theoretical model of the interplay between inputs, processes, and outputs of mentoring relationships. Fifty-three graduate occupational therapy students rated their motivation and performance, the support they provided and received, the relationship quality, satisfaction with the e-mentoring program, and career growth. Structural equation modeling was used to test for mediating relationships among these factors. A causal model anchored on the mediating variables of psychosocial support, instrumental support, and relationship quality accounted for 69% of the variance in the mentoring program satisfaction and 34% of career growth variance. In conclusion, equal peer e-mentoring can facilitate student academic and career success. Furthermore, findings validate a theoretical model as an explanatory tool for effective equal peer e-mentoring.