Date of Award

Spring 2010

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Psychology

Committee Director

Debra A. Major

Committee Member

Karin A. Orvis

Committee Member

James M. Henson

Abstract

Research has demonstrated the importance of various forms of mentoring across multiple contexts. However, the topic of informal peer mentors has not been sufficiently explored. This study investigated the role of peer mentors in encouraging participation in voluntary development activities (i.e., capitalization). An online survey was completed by 288 undergraduate students. As hypothesized, mentoring was positively related to high levels of participation in capitalization activities and intentions to mentor in the future, and capitalization participation was positively related to higher levels of student satisfaction, continuance commitment, and career involvement. Contrary to expectations, capitalization participation was not significantly related to affective commitment. However, the mentoring items did not appear to load as separate factors for psychosocial and career-related functions, preventing the testing of relationships with these specific dimensions of mentoring. Research implications, limitations, and future directions for research are discussed.

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In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

DOI

10.25777/f3zz-5k32

ISBN

9781124664187

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