| The first purpose of this study was to achieve an understanding of how the construct of gender inequality operates and affects women in life sciences. In order to achieve this understanding, gender inequality was defined within a multilevel framework, including individual, group, and organizational levels of influence. The second purpose of this study was to measure the effectiveness of mentoring programs in alleviating and addressing gender inequality for women in life sciences. The study took an explanatory approach using self-report questionnaires. Eighty-seven women working within the life sciences participated in the study. The data were analyzed using multiple tests of analyses, including Pearson's Product Moment Correlation, Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA), Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and multiple regression. The results of the study revealed that, except for low self-confidence, all other organization, group, and psychosocial factors (misunderstanding, treatment, exclusion, conforming ideation, and low initiative) showed a significant positive correlation with perceived gender inequality. Thus the study provided support that gender inequality operates at multiple levels of influence and understanding of gender inequality is best achieved through a multilevel framework. The results of the study did not show significant results that mentoring programs are effective in alleviating and addressing perceived gender inequality for women in life sciences. However, although not significant, further analyses indicated support for previous research on the benefits of mentoring programs and the effectiveness of specific characteristics of mentoring relationships and programs. Finally, limitations to the study and implications for organizations and future research are acknowledged and discussed. |
