The first objective was to test the prospective relationship between need satisfaction and coping. A total of 113 undergraduate students completed a measure of need satisfaction at Time 1 (T1; i.e. a few weeks before the midterm exams) as well as a measure of coping at Time 2 (T2; i.e. a few weeks after the midterm exams). Results indicated that need satisfaction T1 explained unique variance in both dimensions of coping T2, namely task-oriented and disengagement-oriented coping, even after having statistically controlled for gender, Conscientiousness, Neuroticism, and social desirability at T1. The second objective was to examine a model in which need satisfaction and coping predict the amount of progress towards academic goals and, in turn, how coping and goal progress are associated to increases in need satisfaction over the course of a semester. A total of 166 undergraduate students completed a measure of need satisfaction at Time 1 (T1; i.e. a few weeks before the midterm exams) as well as measures of coping, goal progress, and need satisfaction at Time 2 (T2; i.e. a few weeks after the midterm exams). Results from structural equation modeling indicated that coping T2 fully mediated the relationship between need satisfaction T1 and goal progress T2. Results also indicated that goal progress T2 partially mediated the relation between task-oriented coping T2 and need satisfaction T2 as well as between disengagement-oriented coping T2 and need satisfaction T2.

The importance of psychological needs for optimal mental and physical well-being has been well documented within the literature. However, there remains little consensus on the definition of basic psychological needs, on which needs are most important or fundamental, and on how to best assess basic needs in individuals. The purpose of this dissertation was to develop and validate a comprehensive measure of fundamental psychological needs and to examine its predictive utility for both mental and physical health. To fulfil these objectives, measure construction and validation studies were conducted in 2 separate undergraduate student samples (N = 226; N = 283). Participants completed online self-report measures of emotional and psychological symptoms, negative life events, personality characteristics, and psychological needs. Factor Analyses of the Psychological Needs Questionnaire (PNQ) revealed that needs can be classified in a three-level multi-factorial confirmatory model and that self-worth and relationship types of psychological needs can be further divided into several, second-level factors. Results also indicated that the PNQ is reliable and possesses good construct validity as well as predictive utility for numerous psychological and physical problems. In addition, psychological needs moderated the relationship between depressive personality characteristics and mood. Future studies should examine the proposed needs-based model in a longitudinal fashion, both in community and clinical samples. In addition to functioning as a global introduction and providing an overview of the relevant literature, Chapter 1 proposes a new model of psychological needs. Chapter 2 describes in further detail the importance of each need identified by the new model, with a particular emphasis on the consequences associated with having each need unfulfilled. Chapter 3, 4, and 5 represent three academic journal articles resulting from the data collected in the current project. Finally, chapter 6 provides a global discussion of the entire dissertation.

Syftet med denna studie var dels att undersöka vad som motiverar människor att arbeta ideellt enligt självbestämmande teorin och i allmänhet genom en öppen fråga, samt om antalet år inom organisationen påverkade motivationsfaktorerna. Utifrån självbestämmande teorin undersöktes hur det tre motivationsbehoven autonomi, kompetens och samhörighet förändrades över tid hos volontärarbetarna. För att undersöka detta utformades en enkät som byggde på basic need satisfaction at work scale (BNS) som distribuerades till 70 volontärarbetare inom Röda korset verksamhet i Gävle. En hierarkisk regressionsanalys visade att behovet av samhörighet hos volontärarbetarna minskade över tid. Orsaker till att samhörigheten minskade över tid hos volontärarbetare diskuterades. / The purpose of this study was to examine what motivates people to volunteer both in general by an open-ended question, and according to self-determination theory. The purpose was also to investigate if the number of years in the organization affects the motivation factors. To investigate this a questionnaire based on the basic need satisfaction at work scale (BNS) was distributed to 70 volunteers in the Red Cross organization in Gävle. Based on self-determination theory this study examined how the three motivation needs of autonomy, competence and relatedness changed over time with volunteer workers. A hierarchical regression analysis showed that the need for relatedness of volunteer workers decreased over time. Reasons for the volunteer reduces of relatedness over time where discussed.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Hospitality Management and Dietetics / Deborah Canter / Chihyung Ok / As the number of older adults increases so does the demand for housing and personal care needs. The continuing care retirement community is unique from other senior care facilities as it provides a continuum of housing and care that caters towards an individual’s need. Foodservice is often utilized to attract older adults into retirement facilities. Such service would give residents additional opportunities to socialize with service workers as well as other patrons of the restaurant. Yet, few studies have focused on the roles of food and dining service on resident’s satisfaction with foodservice and their quality of life. Study 1 examined the relationships between residents’ perception of individual customer orientation of service employee dimensions: technical skills, social skills, motivation, and decision-making authority, with relational benefits, satisfaction and subsequent behavioral outcomes: repurchase intention and word-of-mouth. Study 2 explored the moderating effects of resident’s activity involvement and food involvement on the relationships between rapport, dining-need satisfaction and resident’s quality of life. To achieve the objectives of these studies, 412 continuing care retirement community residents from five facilities completed a self-report questionnaire. Of these, 354 were used in study 1 and study 2. Findings of the structural equation modeling (Study 1) suggested that resident’s perception of foodservice employee’s technical skills, social skills and motivation were important determinants of confidence and social benefits that led to residents’ overall satisfaction with foodservice. Satisfied resident-consumer is likely to engage in word-of-mouth and repurchase intention. Results of hierarchical multiple regressions (Study 2) revealed that perceived rapport and resident’s dining-need satisfaction are positively related to resident’s quality of life. This study also found that activity involvement and food involvement moderated the relationships between rapport and dining-need satisfaction with quality of life respectively. That is, the more involved resident has an improved quality of life.

Early research on motivation draws connections to what are now understood as aspects of sensemaking, however research does not explicitly draw a connection to the theory of sensemaking itself. Therefore, the sensemaking perspective is applied to the motivational theory of self determination in order to gain a deeper understanding of how and why motivation develops through sensemaking. This is accomplished through a qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews for empirical data collection, followed by thematic analysis. The research concludes with a representation of the sequential process that demonstrates the interconnectedness of sensemaking and motivation, demonstrating the connection between environmental change, meaning creation and internalization, need satisfaction, motivation and action. Consequently, this research provides insight to the co-existence of sensemaking and motivation, facilitating opportunities to reach a more complete understanding of how individual motivation actually exists and develops.

The main purpose of this research is to study the impact of the empowerment Job Design (JD) techniques on the satisfaction of the blue-collars’ motivational needs in the context of assembly line system in the automotive industry. We have developed this purpose aiming to make a theoretical contribution due to the fact that only a few studies were developed and were linked to the empowerment model developed by Conger and Kanungo (1988) which is a JD model relevant for the context of assembly line work which is qualified as repetitive and monotone. To fulfil this gap, we have established a conceptual model based on the empowerment model developed by Conger and Kanungo (1988) and theories of motivational needs. We conducted our thesis with the following research question as guideline: What are the effects of the empowerment job design on the satisfaction of the blue-collars’ motivational needs in an automotive assembly line system context? Our objective of this research question was: to study the impact of the empowerment Job Design techniques on the blue-collars’ motivational needs thanks to a case study as research design. This research is made independently to the effects of the context on the blue-collar’s motivation. We have conducted a quantitative study from a positivist and objectivist perspective in two MB (Mercedes-Benz) factories: ELC Étoile du Rhône in France (sample part factory) and Rastatt MB (engine factory) in Germany. Also, we have made questionnaires to distribute these to the blue-collars located in these two MB factories which allowed us to get 67 respondents. The set of 15 questions that constitutes our questionnaire dealt with how the empowerment JD techniques affect their motivational needs. Once the data were collected, we used SPSS for statistical analysis. We retrieved some specific analysis such as descriptive statistics, correlations and regressions. In addition to that, we used Cronbach’s Alpha to test the reliability of our results. We measured the impacts of the empowerment JD techniques (participative management, feedback, modelling contingent/ competence based reward, goal setting and job enrichment) on the motivational needs (existence needs, relation-oriented needs and growth-oriented needs). The results of our findings definitely went in the way that the empowerment JD techniques have a positive impact on the satisfaction of the blue-collars’ motivational needs. Indeed, our analysis indicated positive correlations of all of the empowerment JD techniques on the motivational needs except the JD technique "modelling contingent/ competence based reward". Also, we found that the impacts on the relation-oriented needs (RN) were the strongest ones. Thus, we hope that this paper will help the assembly line managers to become aware of their blue-collars’ potential in order to increase their performance and to improve their employees job satisfaction.

South Africa currently has one pharmacist per 3849 of the population, which is considerably below the recommendation of one per 2300 of the population. Pharmacists are under a lot of pressure to perform at a certain level with not much to aid them in their day-to-day duties and their psychological needs. If pharmacists‟ stress levels are not managed, their physical and mental health may be compromised, as may their patients‟ safety. The construct of basic need satisfaction may be useful to gain insight in employees‟ functioning and to examine the motivational potential of organisational factors. Information about the need satisfaction of pharmacy employees is important as it may heighten the functioning and productivity of employees to a degree which will reduce costs connected with stress and turnover. This information will aid organisations to create environments that lessen the stress and turnover intentions of employees, thereby reducing the costs related to stress and turnover. The aims of this research were divided into general and specific aims. The general aim of this study was to investigate work related basic need satisfaction and flourishing of employees in a corporate pharmacy environment. A cross-sectional survey design was used. Data was collected through questionnaires in the empirical investigation, namely the Work-related Basic Need Satisfaction Scale (W-BNS) and the Mental Health Continuum Short-Form (MHC-SF). The study sample was compiled from a corporate retail pharmacy group. The satisfaction of the need for relatedness reflected as the most prominent result of the three basic psychological needs. Respondents mostly chose “agree” (mean = 3.9) on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 which is totally disagree to 5 which is totally agree. This indicates that employees feel that their need for relatedness is being satisfied. Respondents that flourish and are moderately mentally healthy differ in how they feel with regard to the satisfaction of their needs for autonomy and relatedness. It was thus shown that the levels of need satisfaction for autonomy and relatedness of flourishing employees are higher than those of the moderately mentally healthy employees. Recommendations for further research are made. / MPham (Pharmacy Practice, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

South Africa currently has one pharmacist per 3849 of the population, which is considerably below the recommendation of one per 2300 of the population. Pharmacists are under a lot of pressure to perform at a certain level with not much to aid them in their day-to-day duties and their psychological needs. If pharmacists‟ stress levels are not managed, their physical and mental health may be compromised, as may their patients‟ safety. The construct of basic need satisfaction may be useful to gain insight in employees‟ functioning and to examine the motivational potential of organisational factors. Information about the need satisfaction of pharmacy employees is important as it may heighten the functioning and productivity of employees to a degree which will reduce costs connected with stress and turnover. This information will aid organisations to create environments that lessen the stress and turnover intentions of employees, thereby reducing the costs related to stress and turnover. The aims of this research were divided into general and specific aims. The general aim of this study was to investigate work related basic need satisfaction and flourishing of employees in a corporate pharmacy environment. A cross-sectional survey design was used. Data was collected through questionnaires in the empirical investigation, namely the Work-related Basic Need Satisfaction Scale (W-BNS) and the Mental Health Continuum Short-Form (MHC-SF). The study sample was compiled from a corporate retail pharmacy group. The satisfaction of the need for relatedness reflected as the most prominent result of the three basic psychological needs. Respondents mostly chose “agree” (mean = 3.9) on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 which is totally disagree to 5 which is totally agree. This indicates that employees feel that their need for relatedness is being satisfied. Respondents that flourish and are moderately mentally healthy differ in how they feel with regard to the satisfaction of their needs for autonomy and relatedness. It was thus shown that the levels of need satisfaction for autonomy and relatedness of flourishing employees are higher than those of the moderately mentally healthy employees. Recommendations for further research are made. / MPham (Pharmacy Practice, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The present study examined the relationship between perceived overqualification and work engagement through basic need satisfaction at work and further incorporated job crafting and nonwork crafting to understand the indirect role of need satisfaction. In study 1, a new measure for targeted nonwork crafting was developed and validated. The final scale provided adequate reliability and validity evidence, and predicted life satisfaction and job satisfaction above and beyond the measures of intrinsic motivation and recovery experiences. The main study included a total of 321 full-time employees who had been working in their current job for at least 3 months and represented diverse occupations and industries. Results indicated that basic need satisfaction at work explains the negative relationship between perceived overqualification and work engagement. However, job crafting and targeted nonwork crafting do not moderate the indirect effect of basic need satisfaction at work. Supplemental analyses revealed that job satisfaction emerges as a reactive response to unmet needs at work while targeted nonwork crafting serves as a buffer for the relationship between perceived overqualification and burnout. These findings underscore the importance of considering motivational implications of overqualification on work outcomes and integrating cross-domain variables to the overqualification research.

<div>Invisibility is an abstract concept captured in film, literature, and social science. It is often desired as a superpower and in fiction portrayed as something that allows self-serving behaviors otherwise prevented by visibility. However, as a social construct used to describe marginalized individuals, it is regarded as largely distressing and disadvantageous. Key to these two opposing conceptualizations is the temporariness or permanence of the invisibility—if temporary and under the control of the individual, it serves the individual’s needs and desires; if permanent, it strips the individual of a sense of meaning and worthiness. The present studies examine invisibility from both perspectives. Studies 1 and 2 demonstrate the desirable aspects of temporary invisibility, but also show that people are less enamored with possessing invisibility when its occurrence is permanent or not under the control of the individual. In Study 3, employing a 3-person video telephony paradigm, I test the impact of ostracism—being ignored and excluded—for one of two motives: role prescribed, in which individuals’ roles encourage their social invisibility, and oblivious, in which status differentials render those with lower status invisible. The results show that whereas obliviously ostracized individuals take advantage of their invisibility to prematurely begin a questionnaire, they also show higher levels of personal distress. These results indicate that being unnoticed may have negative psychological impact on individuals while also affording them the opportunity to engage in self-serving, yet possibly socially undesirable, behaviors. </div>