title: E-mentoring for youth with special needs: preliminary results.
abstract: Recently, a growing number of electronic mentoring (e-mentoring) Web sites have become available that provide vocational and career support. To date, few researchers have addressed the phenomenon of e-mentoring from a socioemotional perspective for populations with special needs. This paper presents a pilot study designed to test and evaluate an e-mentoring intervention program based on mutual self-disclosure and friendship for youth with special needs. Using qualitative methods, the study characterized the e-mentoring process and its contributions to this population. Results provided support for the socioemotional potential of computer-mediated communication for youth with special needs, although some barriers were found. Practical implications for implementing feasible e-mentoring programs for youth with special needs are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Education, Faculty of Education, University of Haifa, Israel. carmits@univ.haifa.ac.il
authors.forename: Carmit-Noa
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Shpigelman
authors.forename: Shunit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Reiter
authors.forename: Patrice L Tamar
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Weiss
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003142:Communication; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008611:Mentors