Empowering Peer Mentorship: Best Practices

Presenter

Caitlyn Menard, B.S, OTS

Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

2026

Abstract

Sustaining a spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to a loss of performance skills and restricts the ability to participate in meaningful activities as one could prior to injury. Community-dwelling individuals with SCI, encounter unmet needs related to psychological health, lifestyle, community mobility, and self-efficacy, emphasizing the true importance of community programs in addressing and supporting the long-term management of SCI. Occupational therapy professionals are skilled at connecting the dots between the person and their environment. Using an occupational therapy lens, this doctoral capstone aims to answer this research question: How do different peer mentoring methods facilitate community re-engagement within the SCI community? A non-randomized mixed methods design is used to identify the peer mentor training program’s effectiveness. A convivence sampling method was used with the participants. Participants are made up of peer mentors at EmpowerSCI who meet eligibility criteria. This mixed method approach includes both standardized assessments and non-standardized approaches. Qualitative and quantitative data collection was done to assess if peer mentors helped participants reach their goals. By incorporating occupational therapy knowledge and evidence, effective peer mentoring interventions result in increased participant confidence in re-engaging within their community. Results of this provide evidence to support the implementation of standardized peer mentor training

Faculty Mentor

Monique Dawes, O.T.D., OTR/L, CPAM

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