Work

The development and validation of an integrated assessment of irrational beliefs concerning basic psychological needs: the rational emotive self-determination scale for workers

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Introduction: Recently a new approach to understanding human behaviour has emerged that integrates rational emotive behaviour therapy (REBT) from the cognitive behavioural tradition, and self-determination theory (SDT) from the humanistic tradition. In the current study, we develop a psychometric that conceptualizes this new approach in organisational settings; the rational emotive self-determination scale for work (RESD-W). The RESD-W assesses respondents' irrational beliefs (from REBT) concerning the basic psychological needs (from SDT), namely perceptions of autonomy, competence, and relatedness within their work life. The RESD-W builds on initial validations of the RESD in adolescent populations (RESD-A). Methods: In the current paper, the psychometric properties of the 16-item RESD-W were examined across five studies, in which the factor structure, the reliability of the scale, and construct and criterion-oriented validity of the RESD-W were assessed. Results: Analyses confirmed theoretical expectations and yielded good psychometric properties. Scores in the RESD-W were associated with anxiety and depression, and negative emotions in the workplace. Discussion: The results are discussed regarding practice, highlighting that work related psychological wellbeing may be predicated on the integration of irrational beliefs and basic psychological needs.

Source: Frontiers in Psychiatry

DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1571324

Authors: Murat Artiran, Pinar Tinaz, Ömer Faruk Simsek, Anthony Miller, Katia Correa Vione, Martin James Turner