Exploring the Mediating Role of Social Exchange Orientation in the Relationship Between Mentoring Experiences and Mentoring Intentions: A Cross-Sectional Study

The study utilized a cross-sectional design to determine the relationship between positive and negative mentoring experiences and intentions to engage in future formal mentoring and the mediating role of aspects of social exchange theory particularly Negotiated Exchange Orientation and Perceived Organization Support. The study was conducted among 303 nurses and midwives working in acute care hospitals in Uganda. The results showed that, in the negative mentoring model, Perceived Organization Support fully mediated the relationship between lack of mentor expertise and willingness to participate in formal mentoring programs (B = −0.201, 95% CI [−0.399, −0.056]). In the positive mentoring model, indirect effects were observed for the relationship between Individual Influence variable and willingness to participate in formal mentoring programs mediated by Perceived Organization Support (B = 0.131, 95% CI [0.011, 0.283]). Furthermore, indirect effects were observed between the Relational Quality variable and willingness to participate in formal mentoring programs mediated by Negotiated Exchange Orientation (B = 0.081, 95% CI [0.008, 0.183]). Therefore, the social exchange theory can explain the relationship between past mentoring experiences and future intentions to engage in mentoring activities.