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The Correlation of Mentoring and Job Satisfaction: A Pilot Study of Mental Health Professionals

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Abstract

A pilot study examined the relationship between job satisfaction and perceived mentoring among 56 mental health supervisors and practitioners in a county mental health agency. Participants completed the Alleman Mentoring Activities Questionnaires and the Job Descriptive Index and Job in General Scale. Practitioners who perceived they were involved in mentoring relationships with supervisors were more satisfied with their jobs than those who perceived that they were not involved in mentoring relationships. The mentoring functions of sponsoring, assigning challenging tasks, and demonstrating trust predicted job satisfaction. Recommendations include incorporating mentoring functions in supervisory training to increase mental health professionals’ job satisfaction.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Social Work, California State University, Long Beach, 1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, CA, 90840, USA

    Cheryl D. Lee

  2. Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Northeast Mental Health Center, 5321 Via Marisol, Los Angeles, CA, 90042, USA

    Eliette del Carmen Montiel

Authors
  1. Cheryl D. Lee
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  2. Eliette del Carmen Montiel
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Correspondence to Cheryl D. Lee.

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Lee, C.D., del Carmen Montiel, E. The Correlation of Mentoring and Job Satisfaction: A Pilot Study of Mental Health Professionals. Community Ment Health J 47, 482–487 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-010-9356-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-010-9356-7

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