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Thesis Format

Alternative Format

Degree

Master of Arts

Program

Education

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the motives of peer mentors to caregivers of children and youth with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Ten mentors with lived experience raising a dependent with FASD participated in in person or telephone interviews that included the focal question: “Why do you want to be a peer mentor?” Responses were analyzed with a qualitative content analysis procedure. Four themes emerged from the responses. Mentors wanted to provide emotional support as a means of improving mentee wellbeing through therapeutic means and relationship development. They wanted to share lived experience as a means of educating mentees through the provision of personal knowledge, strategies, and skills. Mentors also chose to become involved for personal or mutual benefit, including fulfilling a call to give back or for personal growth and development. Finally, mentors participated to alter the perceptions and expectations held by mentees regarding caring for a child with FASD. The themes were compared and contrasted with existing literature.

Summary for Lay Audience

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a developmental disability characterized as a permanent neurological disorder that can significantly impact an affected individual’s physical appearance, learning, and behaviour as a result of maternal consumption of alcohol during pregnancy. Research outlining the best practices in FASD intervention has identified providing caregivers with support as a crucial element toward improving outcomes for the disorder, yet minimal research has explored the most effective ways to support caregivers. Peer delivered models of support have resulted in positive outcomes for caregivers. However, marginal research has examined the experience and motivations of caregivers to seek social support. More specifically, no research has explored FASD caregiver motivation to participate in mentorship. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore the motives of caregivers of FASD for participating in a mentorship program as peer mentors. The mentors were interviewed using open ended questions to explore their motives for participation and responses were grouped into four themes using qualitative content analysis. The themes included that mentors wanted to provide emotional support as a means of improving mentee wellbeing through therapeutic means and relationship development. They wanted to share lived experience as a means of educating mentees through the provision of personal knowledge, strategies, and skills. Mentors also chose to become involved for personal or mutual benefit, including fulfilling a call to give back or for personal growth and development. Finally, mentors participated to alter the perceptions and expectations held by mentees regarding caring for a child with FASD. The themes explored in this study provide a first-hand account of the strengths, challenges, and needs identified by caregivers with this lived experience. Moreover, by identifying motives for seeking social support, professionals and policy makers can develop a deeper understanding of the experiences of caregivers of FASD to more effectively support them and inform appropriate policies and practices.

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