Effectiveness of Adult Male Participation in Formal Mentorship on Male Youth Self- Esteem and Connectedness”

Abstract

This study explored the effectiveness of adult male formal mentorship on male youth selfesteem and connectedness. Extant literature indicates that formal mentorship is effective in mitigating the effects of male youth risk factors; leading to heightened self-esteem and connectedness. The current research was carried out in order to establish whether this can be the case in Kiserian of Kajiado County. This study utilized qualitative and quantitative methodologies. The research design was quasi-experimental with a treatment and control group for the male youth (mentees). Each group was composed of 26 participants; drawn from three age categories ranging between 15 and 23 years and from diverse ethnic backgrounds. There were 13 mentors and each one was assigned two mentees for speed mentorship. The sample of 65 participants was drawn from Kiserian town and selected using purposive and snowball sampling methods. The research instruments included three questionnaires and four Focus Group Discussion guides. One questionnaire was designed for the mentors; while the two were for the mentees; a pretest and posttest one; each pair was applied to both the treatment and control groups. The mentors and mentees had two Focus Group Discussions each. The SAVE mentorship model was utilized for the speed mentorship intervention. A pilot study was conducted before the study commenced. The reliability tests carried out before the main study using Cronbach’s Coefficient Alfa formula found the instruments to be within the acceptable range. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 for windows was employed in descriptive and inferential data analysis. Statistical techniques made use of comprised, one- way ANOVA and ANCOVA. The hypotheses were tested at α = 0.05. ANOVA analysis found adult males in Kiserian to be only moderately (M=33.84 out of a possible 45 points) involved in male youth affairs in the community. The differences in formal mentorship participation however, were found not to be significant across age and cultural backgrounds of the mentors. Further, ANCOVA analysis showed that male youth self-esteem (from 16.81 to 24.70) and connectedness (from 29.31 to 38.12 from 29.31 to 38.12) increased significantly after the mentorship intervention. The study also established that the age of male youth participants had no statistically significant effect on their self-esteem and connectedness. Though the cultural background of mentees did not significantly determine their connectedness; it nonetheless interposed their self-esteem considerably. The concerted efforts of all stakeholders in enhancing male youth self-esteem and connectedness are imperative. The study recommends that the government takes the lead in urgently creating awareness on the importance and possibility of male youth formal mentorship by adult males. Besides, programs for mobilizing and training adult male mentors and opportunities to mentor male youth should be created by the government rather than be left to the scattered and haphazard efforts of other stakeholders.