Published In

Child Welfare Journal

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2015

Subjects

Child welfare -- Research, Social work with children, Peer teaching, Mentoring

Abstract

Peer mentoring interventions for parents with substance use disorders who are involved with the child welfare system are relatively new, complex, individualized interventions and thus need to be understood both in regard to program efficacy and the processes of how they work. This qualitative study of the experiences of parents involved in a parent mentoring program suggested that certain practices helped motivate parents to think and act in ways that supported their goals and child welfare case plans. The three key mentoring practices that emerged were building caring relationships, pro- viding guidance, and putting parents in charge. These practices promoted parents’ positive self-beliefs (e.g., worthy of connection, competence), which helped motivate them to participate in services, cope constructively with difficulties, and more effectively manage behaviors and emotions. Drawing on Self- Determination Theory and Basic Psychological Needs Theory (BPNT) in particular, we propose a motivational framework for understanding how peer mentoring facilitates, or under- mines, parents’ motivation and results in their making progress on various aspects of their child welfare case. Implications for using the motivational model in future program development and evaluation efforts are discussed.

Rights

Copyright 2015 CWLA.

Description

This article is posted here with author and publisher permission.

Persistent Identifier

https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/42615

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Social Work Commons

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