Seasons of leadership development: An analysis of a multi-dimensional model of mentoring among career groups of United States Army officers

A study of a multidimensional model of mentoring consisting of 16 indicator variables and three factors was conducted to evaluate the reliability of an existing operationalization of mentor attributes and the effect of life-career stage on mentoring. Theoretical bases for the effect of life-career stage on mentoring were drawn from Levinson's Life Structure Development Theory, Super's Theory of Career Stages, Erikson's Life Cycle Theory, and Kram's Theory of Mentoring. Hypotheses testing factorial invariance and latent variable means were conducted. Results of analysis indicate that a modified 12-item, three-factor model provides an equivalent, parsimonious fit that is consistent with existing mentoring theory. Results also indicate support of the impact of life-career stage on mentoring.