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Updated: Mar 25, 2026

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Published on: January 17, 2025
Enabling relationship formation, development, and closure in a one-year female mentoring program at a
Madelene Larsson1, Camilla Pettersson2, Therése Skoog3
1Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Health Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, 701 82, Sweden. madelene.larsson@oru.se.
Female protégés in a mentoring program sought authentic relationships to combat loneliness. The relationships evolved into supportive, non-hierarchical connections, highlighting the importance of active listening and empathy in mentor training for young women.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent Psychology
- Mentorship Programs
- Mental Health Interventions
Background:
- Rising mental health issues in young women (16-24) necessitate effective interventions.
- Mentoring is a recognized strategy for adolescent development, yet relationship dynamics require further study.
- Focus on a Swedish non-governmental organization's female mentoring program, The Girls Zone.
Purpose of the Study:
- Characterize the psychological and social profiles of young women participating as protégés.
- Explore protégés' lived experiences of the mentoring relationship process.
- Analyze these experiences through the lens of relational-cultural theory.
Main Methods:
- Mixed-method approach utilizing 52 questionnaires and five semi-structured interviews.
- Participants were young women (15-26) who sought mentorship via The Girls Zone (2010-2012).
- Statistical analysis and inductive qualitative content analysis were employed.
Main Results:
- Protégé group was diverse in mental health but united in proactively seeking support for loneliness.
- Initial relationship phases involved nervousness and ambivalence, transitioning to authentic, non-hierarchical connections.
- Relationship closure evoked feelings of abandonment alongside personal growth.
Conclusions:
- Mentorship aligned with relational-cultural theory effectively addresses female protégés' relationship needs.
- Essential mentor training components include active listening, empathy, and authentic engagement.
- Findings can inform interventions in educational, healthcare, and recreational settings for young women.
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