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Similarity on Sports Sidelines: How Mentor–Protégé Sex Similarity Affects Mentoring

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Abstract

This study examined the effects of mentor–protégé similarity (sex and attitudinal) and relationship duration on the quantity of mentoring (psychosocial and career) received. Survey data collected from 97 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I women’s basketball head coaches in the USA indicated both types of similarity were associated with the receipt of more psychosocial and career mentoring as assistant coaches. Those who had White male mentors also reported receiving more career mentoring than those with sex dissimilar mentors. Finally, the effects of sex similarity were significantly weaker in longer than in shorter mentoring relationships.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Houston, 126 Heyne Building, Houston, TX, 77204-5022, USA

    Derek R. Avery

  2. Department of Psychology, Davidson College, Davidson, NC, USA

    Scott Tonidandel & McKensy G. Phillips

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  1. Derek R. Avery
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  2. Scott Tonidandel
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  3. McKensy G. Phillips
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Correspondence to Derek R. Avery.

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Avery, D.R., Tonidandel, S. & Phillips, M.G. Similarity on Sports Sidelines: How Mentor–Protégé Sex Similarity Affects Mentoring. Sex Roles 58, 72–80 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-007-9321-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-007-9321-2

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