Abstract

Whereas the positive impact of mentoring programs on at-risk children (mentee) has been shown in previous research in the field, limited studies have focused on young adult volunteers (mentor) and their motivations to volunteer. The aims of the current study are (i) to highlight mentors’ initial motivations; (ii) to test whether the initial motivations are reflected in the final benefits of their participation in the «Mentor- UP» program; and (iii) to test the associations between such motivations-benefits, the satisfaction with the mentoring experience, and the intention to engage in civic activities in the future. 62 mentors (university students) took part to the program and completed a series of questionnaires at the beginning and at the end of the program. Results revealed that, at the beginning of the program, mentors mainly expected to increase their knowledge and to express their values through the participation (motivations). At the end of the program, they reported the highest benefits in knowledge and carrier functions. Moreover, mentors reporting high levels of knowledge function were more satisfied with the program and more likely to engage in civic activities in the future as well as mentors reporting high levels of carrier benefit. In conclusion, these results should be taken into account by researchers and educational practitioners in the field of mentoring and Service-learning.