Psychosocial functionsKram

Psychosocial functions are the forms of support through which the mentor contributes to the mentee's development of identity and self-confidence. This second group of functions, in Kathy Kram's work, helps the mentee feel valuable, competent, and secure. Role modeling, acceptance and confirmation, counseling, and friendship fall into this group. These functions feed not only what the mentee does but who they are. As Kram showed, the deepest effect of mentoring is often felt in this psychosocial layer.