Exploring the Impact of Temperament Awareness Profiles on Mentors Perceived Effectiveness of the Relationship Construct in the Cooperative Extension System Using the Adult Mentoring Assessment for Extension Professionals

Abstract

This multi-phase, mixed methods study aimed to examine the impact on Cooperative Extension mentor’s perceived mentoring effectiveness after receiving temperament awareness intervention using adult temperament profiles. Active, formal mentors were recruited from within Cooperative Extension systems across the United States. The study was promoted to all current mentors who regularly interacted with their mentees. Nineteen participants completed both the pre-test and post-test phases of the study, resulting in an n = 19. Mentors were given the Adult Mentoring Assessment for Extension Professionals to determine whether their perceptions of the mentor/mentee relationship changed before and after temperament education. A paired t-test was run on the means to analyze for significance. Results suggest no significant difference in pre-post scores within 30 days of temperament awareness profile education, p < .05. Qualitative findings were studied during the post-test phase by collecting responses through an open-ended questionnaire. Responses were coded through thematic reduction. Three overarching themes were discovered from the mentor’s responses: “awareness of the needs of themselves and others,”; “temperament awareness,” “intentionally changing behavior.” One of several recommendations includes adding temperament profiles for both mentor and mentee in formal mentoring programs across Cooperative Extension.