Work

Longitudinal dynamics of psychological need satisfaction, meaning in work, and burnout

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Drawing on an integrated perspective of self-determination theory (SDT) and conservation of resources theory (COR theory), this study investigated normal and reverse causation within-person effects among basic psychological need satisfaction (BPNS), meaning in work, and burnout over time. Using random intercept cross-lagged panel models (RI-CLPM), we examined data from German-speaking employees (complete cases = 781, imputed cases = 2131) at three time points over 12 months. At the within-person level, increased burnout was related to subsequent decreased BPNS (i.e., autonomy and competence need satisfaction). In line with COR theory, reciprocal within-person effects between burnout and meaning in work suggest a loss-cycle over time. Explorative analyses suggest that increased autonomy need satisfaction is related to subsequent increased competence and relatedness need satisfaction. At the between-person level, all variables were significantly correlated. Overall, this study found limited support for within-person assumptions of SDT, while supporting assumptions of COR theory. We discuss how the previous neglect of reverse causation, within-person effects, and the effect of time in SDT and COR theory may have led to a misrepresentation of the associations among BPNS, meaning in work, and burnout.

Source: Journal of Vocational Behavior

DOI: 10.1016/j.jvb.2024.103971

Authors: Lucas A. Maunz, Jürgen Glaser

Institution: Universität Innsbruck

Language: English

Topic: Job Satisfaction and Organizational Behavior

Subfield: Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management

Field: Business, Management and Accounting

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,550