title: Exploring the Self-Disclosure Process in Peer Mentoring Relationships for Transition-Age Youth With Developmental Disabilities.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the role of the self-disclosure process in regard to connection development and relationship quality in peer mentoring relationships between transition-age youth (ages 15-20) and young adults (ages 18-36) with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Self-disclosure is defined as "the disclosure of inner feelings and experiences to another person" that "fosters liking, caring, and trust, thereby facilitating the deepening of close relationships" ( Reis & Shaver, 1988 , p. 372). Nine peer mentoring dyads with varied interpersonal connections were purposefully selected from a larger intervention study. Recorded mentoring conversations were analyzed for self-disclosure content and peer mentor response. The findings demonstrated trends related to connection development and differences across degree of connection. In relationships with stronger connections, there was a higher quantity of self-disclosure and more frequent disclosure of emotions, and peer mentors responded more frequently with advice and reciprocated self-disclosure. Implications of findings for promoting higher-quality peer mentoring relationships are discussed.
authors: Cathryn T. Ryan, Jessica M. Kramer, and Ellen S. Cohn, Boston University.
authors: Cathryn T
authors: CT
authors: Ryan
authors: Cathryn T. Ryan, Jessica M. Kramer, and Ellen S. Cohn, Boston University.
authors: Jessica M
authors: JM
authors: Kramer
authors: Cathryn T. Ryan, Jessica M. Kramer, and Ellen S. Cohn, Boston University.
authors: Ellen S
authors: ES
authors: Cohn
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology*; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D000071252:Mentoring; D008611:Mentors / Q000523:psychology; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010379:Peer Group; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012650:Self Disclosure; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: developmental disabilities; mentoring relationships; youth mentoring