Regular Article
The Mentor's Perspective: A Qualitative Inquiry and Future Research Agenda,☆☆,

https://doi.org/10.1006/jvbe.1997.1596Get rights and content

Abstract

The present study employed a qualitative research strategy for examining mentoring from the perspective of the mentor. A total of 27 mentors participated in in-depth interviews regarding their experiences as a mentor. The research focused on investigating issues related to the decision to mentor others. To meet this objective, four major areas of inquiry were examined: individual reasons for mentoring others, organizational factors that influence mentoring, factors related to mentor–protégé attraction, and outcomes associated with mentoring for the mentor. A number of interesting patterns of results were revealed through content analysis of the interview responses. Based on the results and an integration of other theoretical research, a series of propositions were presented to stimulate future research efforts.

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      One is the primacy of loss principle which states that resource loss is more salient compared to resource gain (Hobfoll, 1989; Hobfoll et al., 2018). Based on this principle, although being a supportive mentor can potentially benefit mentors as they may gain resources such as recognition, personal learning, and loyal support base (Allen et al., 1997; Ragins & Scandura, 1999), the potential to lose resources if their job performance goals are not met or exceeded (e.g., damage to their reputation, losing jobs) is likely more salient to them. The other principle of COR theory is the resource investment principle which states that to protect against resource loss, recover from losses, and gain resources, people must invest resources, especially in tasks or areas they expect to have a better return (Hobfoll et al., 2018).

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    The authors thank Joyce Russell and an anonymous reviewer for helpful comments and suggestions. We also thank each of the mentors who participated in this study and express our appreciation to Amelios Kourpouanidis, Kelli Van Stry, and Dawn Welch for assistance with interview transcription.

    ☆☆

    Address all correspondence and reprint requests to Tammy D. Allen, The University of South Florida, Department of Psychology, 4202 East Fowler Avenue, BEH 339, Tampa, FL 33620-8200. FAX (813) 974-4617; E-mail: [email protected].

    C. CassellG. Symon, Eds.

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