When mentors feel supported: Relationships with mentoring functions and proteges’ perceived organizational support/Journal of Organizational Behavior

Abstract

We surveyed full-time employees of ongoing mentoring relationships to investigate relationships among mentors` perceived organizational support (POS), the extent of mentoring functions protégés received, and protégés` POS. Moreover, we examined the moderating role of mentors` altruistic personality in the relationship between mentors` POS and mentoring functions received. Results showed that mentors` POS was positively related to the extent of mentoring protégés reported receiving, which was then related positively to protégés` POS. Furthermore, the extent of mentoring received partially mediated the relationship between mentors` POS and protégés` POS. We also found that mentors` altruistic personality moderated the positive relationship between mentors` POS and the extent of mentoring received such that this relationship was stronger for low altruistic mentors. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd