Table 2 Mentoring relationship: rotated factors, item loadings, and reliabilities

Factor I: Psychosocial support

Encouraged you to talk openly about anxiety and fears that detract from your work

.889

Shared personal experiences as an alternative perspective to your problems

.847

Conveyed empathy for the concerns and feelings you have discussed with him/her

.843

Encouraged you to try new ways of behaving on the job

.832

Conveyed feelings of respect for you as an individual

.827

Encouraged you to prepare for advancement

.793

Displayed attitudes and values similar to your own

.791

Discussed your questions or concerns regarding feelings of competence, commitment to advancement, relationships with peers and supervisors or work/family conflicts

.783

Given or recommended you for assignments that helped you meet new colleagues

.727

.500

Shared history of his/her career with you

.705

.561

Kept you informed about what is going on at higher levels in the company or how external conditions are influencing the company

.699

Protected you from working with other managers before you knew about their likes/dislikes, opinions or controversial topics and the nature of the political environment

.636

.589

Factor II: Career support

Helped you finish assignments/tasks or meet deadlines that otherwise would have been difficult to complete

.875

Given or recommended you for assignments that increased your contact with higher level managers

.810

Gone out of his/her way to promote your career interests

.769

Given or recommended you for assignments that required personal contact with managers in different parts of the company

.765

Given or recommended you for challenging assignments that present opportunities to learn new skills

.720

Served as a role model

.683

Eigenvalue

12.291

1.496

Variance (%) (Total: 76.593%)

68.285

8.308

Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin MSA

.939

Bartlett’s test of sphericity

4283.534**

Reliability (Cronbach’s alpha)

.970

.924