• A novel approach, named听creative non-fiction, was used to allow the reader to understand听aspects of being a peer mentor through their stories.
• These stories could be useful in understanding areas that might require concentration in creating or managing a peer mentor program.

Purpose: Spinal cord injury (SCI) peer mentors are individuals who, through their lived experiences, offer emotional support and empathetic understanding to others living with SCI to foster positive health, independence, and well-being. This study explored SCI peer mentors鈥� perceptions of their roles and experiences.

Materials and methods: Six paid or volunteer peer mentors participated in semi-structured interviews. We first explored the data using thematic narrative analysis to identify patterns, themes, and narrative types. Next, we analyzed the narrative types using creative analytical practices to construct and refine the stories.

Results: Based on our analysis, we developed two stories from a storyteller perspective to present a snapshot of SCI peer mentors鈥� experiences. The first story focuses on a 鈥渄iscovery鈥� narrative from the point of view of Casey who adopted a person-centered approach to mentoring, focusing their attention on the needs of the mentee. The second story focuses on Taylor鈥檚 experiences with the 鈥渄ark鈥� side of peer mentorship, which focuses on the psychological toll of being a SCI peer mentor, from discussions about suicidal thoughts with clients to struggling with burnout.

Conclusions: Results provided insights for support services regarding the importance of supporting the mental health of mentors to ensure they continue delivering high quality mentorship.

Project Lead and contact information: Danielle Alexander danielle.alexander2 [at] mail.mcgill.ca Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, 平特五不中, Montreal, H2W 1S4 Quebec, Canada

Citation: Alexander, D., Caron, J.G., Comeau, J. & Sweet, S.N. (2022): An exploration of the roles and experiences of SCI peer mentors using creative non-fiction, Disability and rehabilitation, 44(22), 6824鈥�6832. DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2021.1977395

• Training on transformational leadership does not seem to increase its use by mentors. However, the positive correlations between mentorship time and sessions, TFL use, and perceived supportiveness of the mentor suggest usefulness of transformational leadership training.
• Mode of interaction used may affect use of transformational leadership.

Study Design: Experimental, pragmatic design.

Objectives: (1) To determine the effects of a transformational leadership (TFL) training program on spinal cord injury (SCI) peer mentors and their mentees; (2) To document characteristics of mentorship within a community-based SCI peer mentor program.

Methods: In total 23 SCI peer mentors (70% male; M age = 47.4 卤 12.1) were randomly allocated to an Experimental or Control condition. Experimental condition mentors received a half-day TFL workshop and bi-weekly emailed information on using TFL in SCI peer mentorship. Sixteen SCI mentees (50% male; M age = 49.1 卤 12.9) enrolled in the study and 9 completed measures of self-efficacy and their mentors' use of TFL and supportiveness at 3 and 6-months. Mentors completed monthly reports of mentorship activities.

Setting: Community-based peer mentorship program in British Columbia, Canada.

Results: There were no between-groups differences in mentee self-efficacy, mentor use of TFL or mentor supportiveness. In the Experimental condition only, total mentorship time and sessions were positively correlated with mentors' use of TFL and supportiveness. Mentorship occurred in-person, by phone, text, and email and mentors discussed an average of 11 topics.

Conclusions: The intervention did not increase SCI peer mentors' use of TFL relative to a Control condition. Nevertheless, there may be merit in coaching SCI peer mentors to use TFL given the positive correlations between mentorship time and sessions, TFL use, and perceived supportiveness of the mentor. Although inherently challenging, research involving community-based SCI peer mentorship programs provides opportunities for scientists and community organizations to extend knowledge of peer mentorship beyond the context of hospital-based programs.

Project lead and contact information: Kathleen M Ginis, PhD katheen_martin.ginis [at] ubc.ca

Citation: Martin Ginis, K. A., Shaw, R. B., Stork, M. J., Battalova, A., & McBride, C. B. (2018). Pilot study of a training program to enhance transformational leadership in Spinal Cord Injury Peer Mentors. Spinal cord series and cases, 4, 34.

• The training of peers in brief action planning was welcomed by peers, providing evidence that it could use used for peer training.
• Training peers appears to have advantages to mentoring success.

Purpose: The present study tested the feasibility of training peers with spinal cord injury (SCI) to learn brief action planning (BAP), an application of motivational interviewing principles, to promote physical activity to mentees with SCI.

Methods: Thirteen peers with SCI attended a half-day BAP workshop. Using a one-arm, pre-, post-test design, feasibility to learn BAP was assessed in terms of peers' (1) BAP and motivational interviewing spirit competence; (2) training satisfaction; and (3) motivations to use BAP as assessed by measures of the theory of planned behavior constructs. Measures were taken at baseline, immediately post-training, and 1 month follow up.

Results: Following the training, participants' BAP and motivational interviewing competence significantly increased (P's < 0.05, d's > 2.27). Training satisfaction was very positive with all means falling above the scale midpoint. Participants' perceived behavioral control to use BAP increased from baseline to post (P < 0.05, d = 0.91) but was not maintained at follow up (P > 0.05).

Conclusions: Training peers with a SCI to learn to use BAP is feasible. BAP is a tool that can be feasibly learned by peers to promote physical activity to their mentees.

Heather L. Gainforth, PhD, School of Health and Exercise Sciences | Faculty of Health and Social Development, The University of British Columbia | Okanagan Campus, ART 129 鈥� 1147 Research Road, Kelowna, BC Canada, V1V 1V7, Email: heather.gainforth [at] ubc.ca

Citation: Gainforth, H. L., Latimer-Cheung, A. E., Davis, C., Casemore, S., & Martin Ginis, K. A. (2015). Testing the feasibility of training peers with a spinal cord injury to learn and implement brief action planning to promote physical activity to people with spinal cord injury. The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 38(4), 515鈥�525.

• Peer mentors derive a number of benefits from mentoring but also experience hardships, including compassion fatigue.
• It is important to provide support for mentors to counter the negative effects of providing mentorship.

Study design: A generic qualitative design.

Objectives: To obtain a deeper understanding of the outcomes of spinal cord injury (SCI) peer mentorship programs delivered by community-based organizations.

Setting: Peer mentorship programs of community-based SCI organizations

Methods: We interviewed 36 individuals who shared their experiences of SCI peer mentorship from the perspective of a peer mentee, peer mentor, or family member of a peer mentee/mentor, or staff of SCI community-based organizations. Interview data were analyzed using an inductive thematic analysis approach.

Results: Four overarching themes with sub-themes were identified. (1) Positive outcomes for mentees such as understanding, emotional outlet/psychological support, inspiration/hope, and belonging. (2) Positive outcomes for mentors such as gaining gratitude, confidence, pride, and personal growth. (3) Reciprocity in positive/negative outcomes for mentors and mentees, such as shared learning and a lack of connection. (4) Negative outcomes for mentors such as impact of negativity, emotional toll, and time/energy demands.

Conclusions: Peer mentorship programs delivered by community-based SCI organizations are important, impactful resources for individuals with SCI who engage in these programs. These results provide insights into the variety of positive and negative outcomes linked with these programs.

Project Lead and contact information:听Shane N. Sweet, 514-398-4184 1x09903, shane.sweet [at] mcgill.ca, @ShaneNSweet (Twitter), or

Citation: Sweet, S.N., Hennig, L., Shi, Z., Clarke, T., Flaro, H., Hawley, S., Schaefer, L., Gainforth, H.L. (2021) Outcomes of peer mentorship for people living with spinal cord injury: perspectives from members of Canadian community-based SCI organizations. Spinal Cord, 59, 1301-1308. doi: 10.1038/s41393-021-00725-2.