A mixed-methods evaluation of an Australian school-based mentoring program.

This thesis is a mixed-methods evaluation of an Australian school-based mentoring program. The aim of the research is to increase understanding of youth mentoring outcomes and processes in an Australian context. The quantitative results indicate that mentoring yields positive outcomes for youth in social-emotional skills, relationships with others and school engagement. The qualitative results add context and suggest that the sequencing of relationship development and goal-oriented activities is important in determining program effectiveness at an individual level. The research has practical implications for program implementation and outcome measurement and offers suggestions for the application of a research-practitioner approach to evaluation.