Personality, social status, and willingness to mentor teammates among NCAA athletes

The benefits of peer mentoring among athletes have been documented, but few studies have investigated why athletes are inclined to mentor teammates. The purpose of this exploratory study was twofold. The first purpose was to examine whether personality and social status predicted athletes' willingness to provide task instruction (instrumental) and friendship (psychosocial) mentoring to teammates who (a) played the same position, and (b) played a different position, as them. The second purpose was to examine whether social status moderated the relationship between personality and mentoring willingness. Participants were 178 National Collegiate Athletic Association athletes who completed an online survey assessing the Big Five personality traits, perceived social status, and willingness to mentor teammates. Multiple regression analyses indicated athletes who were more extraverted and agreeable reported a greater willingness to provide friendship mentoring to teammates who played the same, and a different, position as them. The remaining Big Five personality traits and social status were statistically unrelated to mentoring willingness. Though interaction effects were generally nonsignificant, simple slopes suggested athletes who exhibited greater levels of openness were more willing to provide task instruction mentoring to teammates who played a different position as them, but only when they held high levels of social status. This study provides some of the first known evidence linking the Big Five traits to mentoring willingness among teammates, including the role social status plays in this relationship. The results may help coaches identify athletes who would welcome the opportunity to mentor teammates.

Automated summary

This study investigates why athletes are willing to mentor teammates and whether personality and social status play a role in this willingness. The results show that athletes who are more open, extraverted, and agreeable are more willing to provide friendship mentoring to teammates. However, other personality traits and social status are unrelated to mentoring willingness.