Motivation and well-being at work and in the “free context”

Sílvia Lopes, Maria José Chambel, Marianna Giunchi

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

According to Self-Determination Theory, when people have autonomous motivations they show more interest and enthusiasm, which manifests in their results in work and in life in general. Using a sample of 3275 temporary agency workers (TAW), and through structural equations models, our main goal was to analyze the relationship between motivations for being a TAW (i.e., autonomous and controlled motivations) and work well-being (i.e., work engagement and burnout). In addition, we studied the extent to which work well-being is associated with levels of context-free well-being (i.e., satisfaction with life and health perceptions), and we also analyzed the role of work well-being as a mediator in the relationship between motivations and this context-free well-being. Generally, the results support the importance of autonomous motivations for being TAW, since they seem to attenuate the influence of controlled motivations on workers' well-being. Furthermore, autonomous motivations also contribute to greater levels of well-being both inside and outside work. The results of the present study also show that work engagement is (a) associated with TAWs' satisfaction with life and perceptions of health; and (b) an important link between workers' autonomous motivations and context-free well-being.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationSelf-determination theory in new work arrangements
EditorsMaria José Chambel
PublisherNova Publishers
Pages81-106
ISBN (Print)9781634827621
Publication statusPublished - 2016
Externally publishedYes

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Motivation and well-being at work and in the “free context”'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this