Loss and grief experiences of mentors in social work education

Abstract

Mentoring is an important process in educating competent professionals. However, little is known about mentors' experiences in social work higher education. Two social work educators reflect on 21 years of mentoring with over 60 social work students. Data are triangulated from the notes of two cross-interviews, separately prepared written descriptions of mentoring experiences, and the professional literature. The mentors identify loss and grief experiences, particularly those that take place during the separation and redefinition phases of the mentoring relationships (Kram, 1983). Especially if future research supports the finding of this study, social work education administrators and faculty need to recognize, acknowledge, and ameliorate potential loss and grief experiences of mentors. © 2011 Taylor & Francis.