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The importance of autonomy support and the mediating role of work motivation for well-being: Testing self-determination theory in a Chinese work organization
Nie, Youyan Chua, Bee Leng Yeung, Alexander Seeshing Ryan, Richard M. Chan, Wai Yen
Nie, Youyan
Chua, Bee Leng
Yeung, Alexander Seeshing
Ryan, Richard M.
Chan, Wai Yen
Abstract
We examine relations between perceived organisational autonomy support and different types of work motivation and well-being outcomes in 266 teachers from two government schools in China. We hypothesised that greater autonomy support would be associated with more autonomous forms of employee motivation, and that teacher motivation would in turn mediate the effects of autonomy support on indicators of work well-being (i.e., job satisfaction, work stress and physical ill symptoms). Results generally supported the hypothesised relations between perceived autonomy support and SDT's five types of motivations. Findings also showed that perceived autonomy support predicted job satisfaction directly and indirectly through the mediating roles of intrinsic motivation, identified regulation, introjected regulation and external regulation. Perceived autonomy support predicted work stress directly and indirectly through the mediating roles of external regulation and amotivation. Autonomy support also predicted illness symptoms via the mediating roles of intrinsic motivation, introjected regulation and amotivation. The current findings highlight how perceived organisational support for autonomy relates to motivational differences in a Chinese work context, and the potential relevance of autonomy support for employee well-being.
Keywords
Date
2015
Type
Journal article
Journal
International Journal of Psychology
Book
Volume
50
Issue
4
Page Range
245-255
Article Number
ACU Department
Institute for Positive Psychology and Education
Faculty of Education and Arts
Faculty of Education and Arts
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
File Access
Controlled