BACKGROUND: Although research suggests that mentors largely shape apprentices’ work attitudes and behaviors, questions remain as to how and when negative mentoring experiences can influence the formation of craftsmanship spirit among apprentices. OBJECTIVE: This study, grounded in social exchange theory and regulatory focus theory, proposed and empirically examined the mediating role of occupational identity and the moderating role of regulatory focus (i.e., promotion focus and prevention focus) in the relationship between negative mentoring experiences and craftsmanship spirit METHODS: Using three-wave data among 345 apprentices and their immediate mentor in manufacturing companies in China, we employed SPSS PROCESS macro to examine the mediating role of occupational identity and the moderating role of regulatory focus. RESULTS: The main results demonstrated that occupational identity partially mediated the link between negative mentoring experiences and craftsmanship spirit. Moreover, regulatory focus moderates the relationship between negative mentoring experiences and occupational identity, such that the relationship is stronger among employees with a higher prevention focus, and weaker among employees with a higher promotion focus. CONCLUSIONS: Organizational managers need to be aware of the negative impact of masters’ negative mentoring on apprentices’ occupational identity and craftsmanship, especially for individuals with a high prevention focus, where this negative effect is more pronounced. © 2025 – IOS Press. All rights reserved.
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