"They Just Get Me:" Co-Creating Visibility and Growth through a Trans Specific Mentoring Program

Background and purpose:

Transgender and nonbinary (TGNB) youth and young adults (YYA) experience multiple barriers to wellbeing. Much research on TGNB YYA centers negative outcomes that are often the result of structural barriers, informing interventions primarily oriented toward outcomes like decreased anxiety/depression and suicide prevention. Emerging literature explores resilience and resistance among TGNB YYA, finding connection to TGNB community as critically important.

This study was co-designed with a resilience-focused virtual mentoring program for TGNB YYA. We explore three research questions: (1) what factors facilitate or hinder the relationship and community building between and among TGNB mentors and mentees in a virtual mentoring program? (2) with what impact? and (3) how do TGNB mentees think about the role of resilience in the context of a mentoring program?

Methods:

Qualitative data were collected at two time points – in 2022 and 2024. Focus groups and interviews were conducted using a structured interview guide. Six mentors and seven mentees involved with the program for at least one year participated. Two mentees were between ages 14-17; five were ages 18-24. Sampling strategies aimed to ensure balanced representation of mentees and mentors.

Interview questions focused on experiences in their mentoring relationship, imaginings for TGNB youth thrivance, visions for a mentoring program supporting TGNB youth thrivance, and factors impacting participation/engagement in the program. Questions were added in wave 2 to inform theory and measure development. Participants reflected on concepts of resilience and trans joy. All interviews and focus groups were recorded and transcribed. Using a reflexive thematic approach, multiple researchers independently coded each transcript and collectively generated themes.

Results:

Participants experienced their mentoring relationships as positive, describing them as restorative, particularly given the current socio-political environment. Experiencing connection was linked to consistency and long-term commitment. Factors that could enhance their experience included the flexibility of the virtual platform, continued mentor training/support, and access to intersectional communities. Participants in community building opportunities provided through the program saw them as a valuable space to connect with other TGNB people. However, scheduling challenges were a barrier to engagement.

Both mentors and mentees identified program impacts, including increased self-confidence and pride in one’s identity, increased sense of hope, competence in their jobs (mentors), broadened perspective on the TGNB experience, and ability to engage with others.

When reflecting on the concept of resilience, participants had varying ideas of the role resilience building plays in mentoring programs, and dynamic ideas about resilience conceptually. Trans joy was consistently identified as impacting wellbeing in multiple ways.

Conclusion and Implications:

This study’s findings inform the continued use and evaluation of virtual mentoring programs for supporting TGNB YYA. Findings highlight the reciprocal benefit for mentees and mentors through authentic and supportive mentoring relationships. Findings also highlight the value of prioritizing resilience-based intervention models and facilitating partnerships between program staff and researchers. The benefits and challenges identified by participants provide a framework for future interventions centering mentorship and community connection among TGNB YYA.