Further Investigation of Protégés’ Negative Mentoring Experiences

Abstract

Negative mentoring experiences encountered by 242 protégés across their career histories were examined. Negative mentoring experiences clustered into two factors: Distancing/Manipulative Behavior and Poor Dyadic Fit. Protégés’ reports of the impact that these experiences had on them further suggested that several types of negative mentoring experiences were related to job satisfaction, turnover intentions, and stress. Finally, protégés in formally initiated mentoring relationships reported the most negative experience as having more of an effect on turnover intentions and stress than protégés in informal relationships. The results are discussed in the context of broadening the focus of mentoring research and implications for applied practice.