Abstract

‘Instrumental’ mentoring style is defined by Clayden and Stein as goal focused and target driven, whereas, an ‘expressive’ mentoring approach is nurturing and more focused on the relationship itself. Likewise, Rhodes and DuBois suggest that interaction and emotional connection between mentor and mentee can influence the quality and effectiveness of mentoring relationships. This paper will present many evaluative reviews of mentoring projects, such as the famous Big Brothers and Big Sisters program in the USA, highlighting process orientated factors that are shaping ties between mentor and mentee. This review also considers some demographic characteristics of age, gender and ethnicity influencing interaction outcomes as well as highlighting methodological aspects of mentoring practice.