Mentoring relationships of eldercare staff in Australia: Influence on service motives, sense of community, and caregiver experiences

Employees (76 women, 15 men; mean age = 44.61 years old; SD = 10.84) of a nonprofit eldercare program completed measures of public service motives, community self‐efficacy, sense of community with coworkers, and caregiver satisfaction and stress. Participants also identified whether they had a mentor in their life, someone with more experience who provided support and guidance to them. Employees with mentors ( n = 47) compared to those without a mentor ( n = 44) indicated (controlling for social desirability) (1) significantly stronger motives to help others as boosting self‐esteem, understanding of social problems, and reflection of one's values; (2) significantly stronger beliefs in a common mission and a desire to be supportive of peers; and (3) less caregiver stress in helping older adults. Limitations and implications are discussed. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comm Psychol 33: 245–252, 2005.