Schools worldwide are experiencing challenges in terms of ensuring quality education and good retention of its teaching staff. The highly stressful nature of the teaching profession as well as the high demands placed on teachers with the constant changes in curriculum, not enough resources and insufficient support from supervisors, cause secondary school teachers to show high turnover intention rates and high attrition rates which are extremely costly and detrimental to the success of the school. The well-being of the teacher is mostly overlooked within a highly stressful environment where the focus is on results. Demands on schools and teachers are becoming increasingly complex. Teacher issues are discussed on policy agendas as a result of concerns raised by teachers themselves about the future of their profession and whether they are sufficiently rewarded and supported in their work. The morale and motivation of teachers are important for future teacher retention. Teachers are now expected to have much broader roles, taking into account the development of the learner, the handling of teaching processes in the classroom, the focus of the entire school as a “community-in-action” and the relations with the larger community and the world of teaching in general. Thus expectations are higher and demands are more – but the well-being of the teacher does not seem to be a priority within the larger school environment and global teaching picture. Efforts to improve the psychological well-being and optimal functioning of secondary school teachers will affect individual and organizational outcomes. A teacher who functions well is more likely to stay in the profession and will be more motivated than one who is not engaged and demotivated. Investments in the well-being of teachers will lay the basis for positive school outcomes such better retention, better performance and job satisfaction. The aim of this study was to investigate the psychological well-being of a sample of secondary school teachers in North West Province and to determine the antecedents and outcomes thereof. A cross-sectional survey design was used to gather data regarding the well-being of secondary school teachers and its outcomes. A stratified sample (N = 513) was taken of secondary school teachers in North West Province in South Africa. The measuring instruments used were the Supervisor Behaviour Scale, Work-Related Basic Need Satisfaction Scale, Balanced Measure of Psychological Needs, Work Engagement Scale, Turnover Intention Scale, Work-Life Questionnaire, Revised Job Diagnostic Survey, Co-Worker Relations Scale, Work and Meaning Inventory, Personal Resources Scale, Self-Rated Performance Scale, and Positive Practices Questionnaire. The results of study 1 showed that supervisor support (for autonomy, competence, and relatedness) was positively related to employees’ psychological need satisfaction and engagement and negatively related to intention to leave. Supervisor support affected engagement positively and intention to leave negatively via employees’ autonomy satisfaction. The findings suggest that supervisor support and psychological need satisfaction play a significant role in the engagement and retention of employees. The results of study 2 showed that a calling orientation, job design, and co-worker relations explained a large percentage of the variance in experiences of meaningful work. A low calling orientation and poor co-worker relations predicted a moderate percentage of the variance in burnout. A calling orientation, a well-designed job, good co-worker relations, and meaningful work predicted work engagement. Job design was moderately associated with self-ratings of performance. The absence of a calling orientation predicted teachers’ intentions to leave the organisation. The results of study 3 showed that teachers with the highest levels of psychological functioning derived the most meaning from their work. These teachers are renewed by the work they are doing. Positive organizational practices predicted positive outcomes such as meaning, engagement and self-determined behaviour. Psychologically-well and healthy teachers are more likely to focus on the meaningfulness of the work they are doing. It seems that the most important positive practices in the pathway to better psychological well-being at work are those of meaningful work and inspiration.

Organisations worldwide are experiencing an explosion of knowledge in the current technological information age as well as a serious skills shortage. The fast-paced aggressive and highly cyclical nature of the profession which often does not provide employees with the necessary resources and support causes employees in the information technology (IT) industry to show high turnover intent which is extremely costly and detrimental to organisational success. IT specialists are becoming a scarce commodity in a highly competitive environment where financial gain is very important and employee well-being is not necessarily a prerogative. Employers are faced with additional obligations than just paying equitable salaries, such as creating an environment that is conducive towards well-being. Efforts to promote flourishing and optimal functioning of employees will affect individual and organisational outcomes. Flourishing and languishing are opposite end points on a continuum of mental health indicating the emotional, psychological and social well-being of individuals. An individual who feels well (emotional well-being) is more likely to function well (psychological and social well-being) which means meeting the criteria for positive mental health as flourishing. Investments in the well-being of employees lay the basis for positive employment relations. The aim of this study was to investigate the flourishing of employees in the information technology industry and to determine the antecedents and outcomes thereof. A cross-sectional survey design was used to gather data regarding the flourishing of IT professionals and its outcomes. A convenience sample (N = 205) was taken of employees in information technology organisations in South Africa. The measuring instruments used were the Mental Health Continuum Short Form, Job Satisfaction Scale, Work Engagement Scale, Work-related Basic Need Satisfaction Scale, Work Role Fit Scale, Psychological Contract Inventory, Violations of PC Questionnaire, Organisational Commitment Scale, Turnover Intention Scale and Counterproductive Work Behaviour measures. The results of study 1 showed that 58.5% of the IT professionals were neither languishing nor flourishing, while 3.9% were languishing. Flourishing strongly impacted job satisfaction and had minor to moderate direct and indirect effects on organisational citizenship behaviour and organisational commitment. Job satisfaction impacted directly and positively on organisational commitment and negatively on turnover intention; and moderately negatively on counterproductive behaviour. Flourishing had both a direct and positive effect, and an indirect and negative effect (via organisational commitment) on turnover intention. Study 2 showed that psychological contract breach and violation strongly and negatively impacted flourishing at work and in life. The results provided support for a model in which psychological contract breach and violation had both direct and indirect effects via satisfaction of psychological needs on job satisfaction, work engagement, turnover intention and flourishing of IT professionals. Study 3 showed that work role fit and the availability of resources were strong predictors of flourishing at work and in life. Work role fit, the availability of resources, and supervisor relations impacted job satisfaction and social well-being indirectly through autonomy satisfaction. The availability of resources impacted work engagement and psychological well-being indirectly via competence satisfaction. Furthermore, work role fit, the availability of resources, and supervisor relations impacted psychological well-being indirectly through relatedness. Recommendations for future research were made. / PhD, Labour relations management, North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2012

Cette thèse de doctorat a été réalisée grâce à l'appui financier des fonds québécois de la recherche sur la société et la culture. / La présente thèse porte sur la prédiction de la performance à partir de la théorie de la satisfaction des besoins fondamentaux (BPNT; Basic Psychological Need Theory; Deci & Ryan, 2000). En plus de valider un instrument de satisfaction des besoins fondamentaux en milieu de travail, cette thèse, composée de trois articles, propose que la satisfaction des besoins fondamentaux pourrait prédire la performance des individus par le biais de l’augmentation de la santé psychologique au travail. Le premier article a pour objectif de présenter une recension de la documentation portant sur les liens entre la satisfaction des besoins fondamentaux, la santé psychologique au travail et la performance en emploi. Qui plus est, cet article propose, sur la base de ces informations, un modèle explicatif de la performance en emploi basé sur la BPNT. Le second article a pour but de présenter et de valider la mesure de la satisfaction des besoins fondamentaux en milieu de travail. Une première étude dans un échantillon de travailleurs québécois permet de faire ressortir les trois facteurs attendus (besoin d’autonomie, besoin d’affiliation sociale et besoin de compétence) de manière exploratoire. Des analyses corrélationnelles avec des critères tels que l’optimisme, la justice procédurale, le bien-être au travail, la détresse au travail et la motivation intrinsèque ont été également réalisées afin d’appuyer la validité critériée de l’instrument. Dans la seconde étude, une analyse d’invariance structurelle dans des échantillons d’enseignants québécois et français montre que cet instrument possède des propriétés psychométriques similaires dans les deux échantillons et apporte un argument de plus à la validité de l’instrument. Des analyses corrélationnelles avec les mêmes critères que dans la première étude ont également été réalisées. Ainsi, il est possible de conclure aux bonnes qualités psychométriques de cet instrument. Les limites et les apports de cette étude sont aussi présentés. Le troisième article examine les liens entre la satisfaction de chacun des besoins fondamentaux (autonomie, affiliation sociale et compétence), la santé psychologique et la performance de tâches des enseignants. Plus précisément, cet article tente de valider le modèle présenté dans l’article un voulant que la santé psychologique agisse comme médiateur dans la relation entre la satisfaction des besoins fondamentaux et la performance en emploi. Les résultats des analyses d’équations structurelles montrent la présence d’un effet complet de médiation de la santé psychologique dans la relation entre les besoins d’autonomie et d’affiliation sociale et la performance de tâches des enseignants. Une médiation partielle de la santé psychologique est, par contre, relevée entre le besoin de compétence et la performance de tâches des enseignants. Finalement, ce lien est discuté de même que les limites et les pistes de recherches futures découlant des résultats. Enfin, la conclusion de la thèse synthétise les constats et résultats de cette recherche doctorale. Ainsi, l’adéquation du modèle aux données de l’article trois porte à croire que la satisfaction des besoins fondamentaux pourrait potentiellement prédire la performance par le biais de la santé psychologique. Cependant, il est important de ne pas trop généraliser les résultats puisque la thèse comporte certaines limites, notamment l’utilisation d’instruments autorapportés pouvant favorisant les biais de variances communes. / The following thesis addresses the prediction of performance based on the Basic Psychological Needs Theory (BPNT; Deci & Ryan, 2000). This thesis, composed of three articles, proposes that the satisfaction of the three basic needs predicts individual performance by enhancing their psychological health at work, as well as validate an instrument measuring satisfaction of the three basic needs at work. The first article reviews the scientific literature on the links between the satisfaction of the three basic needs, psychological health at work, and job performance. Based on conclusions drawn thereupon, an explanatory model of job performance based on self-determination theory is proposed. The second article’s objective is to present and validate a measure of satisfaction of the three basic needs in the workplace. A first study in a sample of Quebecois workers allowed the three expected factors (need for autonomy, need for competence, need for relatedness) to emerge using an exploratory method. Correlation analyses using criteria such as optimism, procedural justice, well-being at work, distress at work, and intrinsic motivation was also realised, in order to support the criterion validity of the instrument. In the second study, an analysis of structural invariance in samples of Quebecois and French teachers showed that the instrument had comparable psychometric properties in both samples, further supporting the validity of the instrument. Correlation analyses using the same criteria as in the first study were also performed. The results point to the instrument having sound psychometric qualities. Limitations and contributions of the results are also presented. The third article examines the relationship between satisfaction of each of the three basic needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness), psychological health, and task performance in a sample of teachers. Specifically, this article attempts to validate the model outlined in article 1, whereby psychological heath acts as mediator of the relationship between the three basic needs and job performance. The results of structural equation analyses revealed a complete effect of mediation of psychological health in the relationships for autonomy and relatedness with task performance in teachers. However, a partial mediation of psychological health was found between the need for competence and task performance. These findings are discussed, along with limitations and directions for future research. Finally, the thesis’ conclusion summarizes the results of the entire research. The results of structural equation analyses presented in the third article suggests that the basic psychological needs could potentially predict performance through psychological health. However, it is important to keep in mind that the generalization of the results is limited by the thesis’ limitations such as the use of self-reported instruments, wich might increase biases of common variances.

La présente thèse porte sur la prédiction de la performance à partir de la théorie de la satisfaction des besoins fondamentaux (BPNT; Basic Psychological Need Theory; Deci & Ryan, 2000). En plus de valider un instrument de satisfaction des besoins fondamentaux en milieu de travail, cette thèse, composée de trois articles, propose que la satisfaction des besoins fondamentaux pourrait prédire la performance des individus par le biais de l’augmentation de la santé psychologique au travail. Le premier article a pour objectif de présenter une recension de la documentation portant sur les liens entre la satisfaction des besoins fondamentaux, la santé psychologique au travail et la performance en emploi. Qui plus est, cet article propose, sur la base de ces informations, un modèle explicatif de la performance en emploi basé sur la BPNT. Le second article a pour but de présenter et de valider la mesure de la satisfaction des besoins fondamentaux en milieu de travail. Une première étude dans un échantillon de travailleurs québécois permet de faire ressortir les trois facteurs attendus (besoin d’autonomie, besoin d’affiliation sociale et besoin de compétence) de manière exploratoire. Des analyses corrélationnelles avec des critères tels que l’optimisme, la justice procédurale, le bien-être au travail, la détresse au travail et la motivation intrinsèque ont été également réalisées afin d’appuyer la validité critériée de l’instrument. Dans la seconde étude, une analyse d’invariance structurelle dans des échantillons d’enseignants québécois et français montre que cet instrument possède des propriétés psychométriques similaires dans les deux échantillons et apporte un argument de plus à la validité de l’instrument. Des analyses corrélationnelles avec les mêmes critères que dans la première étude ont également été réalisées. Ainsi, il est possible de conclure aux bonnes qualités psychométriques de cet instrument. Les limites et les apports de cette étude sont aussi présentés. Le troisième article examine les liens entre la satisfaction de chacun des besoins fondamentaux (autonomie, affiliation sociale et compétence), la santé psychologique et la performance de tâches des enseignants. Plus précisément, cet article tente de valider le modèle présenté dans l’article un voulant que la santé psychologique agisse comme médiateur dans la relation entre la satisfaction des besoins fondamentaux et la performance en emploi. Les résultats des analyses d’équations structurelles montrent la présence d’un effet complet de médiation de la santé psychologique dans la relation entre les besoins d’autonomie et d’affiliation sociale et la performance de tâches des enseignants. Une médiation partielle de la santé psychologique est, par contre, relevée entre le besoin de compétence et la performance de tâches des enseignants. Finalement, ce lien est discuté de même que les limites et les pistes de recherches futures découlant des résultats. Enfin, la conclusion de la thèse synthétise les constats et résultats de cette recherche doctorale. Ainsi, l’adéquation du modèle aux données de l’article trois porte à croire que la satisfaction des besoins fondamentaux pourrait potentiellement prédire la performance par le biais de la santé psychologique. Cependant, il est important de ne pas trop généraliser les résultats puisque la thèse comporte certaines limites, notamment l’utilisation d’instruments autorapportés pouvant favorisant les biais de variances communes. / The following thesis addresses the prediction of performance based on the Basic Psychological Needs Theory (BPNT; Deci & Ryan, 2000). This thesis, composed of three articles, proposes that the satisfaction of the three basic needs predicts individual performance by enhancing their psychological health at work, as well as validate an instrument measuring satisfaction of the three basic needs at work. The first article reviews the scientific literature on the links between the satisfaction of the three basic needs, psychological health at work, and job performance. Based on conclusions drawn thereupon, an explanatory model of job performance based on self-determination theory is proposed. The second article’s objective is to present and validate a measure of satisfaction of the three basic needs in the workplace. A first study in a sample of Quebecois workers allowed the three expected factors (need for autonomy, need for competence, need for relatedness) to emerge using an exploratory method. Correlation analyses using criteria such as optimism, procedural justice, well-being at work, distress at work, and intrinsic motivation was also realised, in order to support the criterion validity of the instrument. In the second study, an analysis of structural invariance in samples of Quebecois and French teachers showed that the instrument had comparable psychometric properties in both samples, further supporting the validity of the instrument. Correlation analyses using the same criteria as in the first study were also performed. The results point to the instrument having sound psychometric qualities. Limitations and contributions of the results are also presented. The third article examines the relationship between satisfaction of each of the three basic needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness), psychological health, and task performance in a sample of teachers. Specifically, this article attempts to validate the model outlined in article 1, whereby psychological heath acts as mediator of the relationship between the three basic needs and job performance. The results of structural equation analyses revealed a complete effect of mediation of psychological health in the relationships for autonomy and relatedness with task performance in teachers. However, a partial mediation of psychological health was found between the need for competence and task performance. These findings are discussed, along with limitations and directions for future research. Finally, the thesis’ conclusion summarizes the results of the entire research. The results of structural equation analyses presented in the third article suggests that the basic psychological needs could potentially predict performance through psychological health. However, it is important to keep in mind that the generalization of the results is limited by the thesis’ limitations such as the use of self-reported instruments, wich might increase biases of common variances. / Cette thèse de doctorat a été réalisée grâce à l'appui financier des fonds québécois de la recherche sur la société et la culture.

Organisations worldwide are experiencing an explosion of knowledge in the current technological information age as well as a serious skills shortage. The fast-paced aggressive and highly cyclical nature of the profession which often does not provide employees with the necessary resources and support causes employees in the information technology (IT) industry to show high turnover intent which is extremely costly and detrimental to organisational success. IT specialists are becoming a scarce commodity in a highly competitive environment where financial gain is very important and employee well-being is not necessarily a prerogative. Employers are faced with additional obligations than just paying equitable salaries, such as creating an environment that is conducive towards well-being. Efforts to promote flourishing and optimal functioning of employees will affect individual and organisational outcomes. Flourishing and languishing are opposite end points on a continuum of mental health indicating the emotional, psychological and social well-being of individuals. An individual who feels well (emotional well-being) is more likely to function well (psychological and social well-being) which means meeting the criteria for positive mental health as flourishing. Investments in the well-being of employees lay the basis for positive employment relations. The aim of this study was to investigate the flourishing of employees in the information technology industry and to determine the antecedents and outcomes thereof. A cross-sectional survey design was used to gather data regarding the flourishing of IT professionals and its outcomes. A convenience sample (N = 205) was taken of employees in information technology organisations in South Africa. The measuring instruments used were the Mental Health Continuum Short Form, Job Satisfaction Scale, Work Engagement Scale, Work-related Basic Need Satisfaction Scale, Work Role Fit Scale, Psychological Contract Inventory, Violations of PC Questionnaire, Organisational Commitment Scale, Turnover Intention Scale and Counterproductive Work Behaviour measures. The results of study 1 showed that 58.5% of the IT professionals were neither languishing nor flourishing, while 3.9% were languishing. Flourishing strongly impacted job satisfaction and had minor to moderate direct and indirect effects on organisational citizenship behaviour and organisational commitment. Job satisfaction impacted directly and positively on organisational commitment and negatively on turnover intention; and moderately negatively on counterproductive behaviour. Flourishing had both a direct and positive effect, and an indirect and negative effect (via organisational commitment) on turnover intention. Study 2 showed that psychological contract breach and violation strongly and negatively impacted flourishing at work and in life. The results provided support for a model in which psychological contract breach and violation had both direct and indirect effects via satisfaction of psychological needs on job satisfaction, work engagement, turnover intention and flourishing of IT professionals. Study 3 showed that work role fit and the availability of resources were strong predictors of flourishing at work and in life. Work role fit, the availability of resources, and supervisor relations impacted job satisfaction and social well-being indirectly through autonomy satisfaction. The availability of resources impacted work engagement and psychological well-being indirectly via competence satisfaction. Furthermore, work role fit, the availability of resources, and supervisor relations impacted psychological well-being indirectly through relatedness. Recommendations for future research were made. / PhD, Labour relations management, North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2012

L’objectif de la recherche (dans le cadre de trois études empiriques) est d’expliquer comment la perception du contexte organisationnel politique peut être mobilisée pour améliorer la performance et la pro-activité des employés et pour réduire leurs intentions de démissionner. Notre approche théorique s’inscrit dans la théorie de l’auto-détermination (Deci & Ryan, 2000) et s’appuie sur la théorie de la conservation des ressources (Hobfoll, 2002) ainsi la théorie dite de « Human Agency » (Bandura, 2006), et la science de la psychologie positive (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2014). Une étude quantitative est menée au Pakistan pour évaluer les conceptualisations formulées. Nos résultats révèlent que les employés ayant un capital psychologique élevé développent de manière durable des comportements conduisant à la performance et qu’ils demeurent proactifs dans des contextes organisationnels perçus comme fortement politiques. En même temps, ces employés subissent une vulnérabilité psychologique qui les pousse à démissionner. A l’opposé, la perception d’un contexte organisationnel politique offre aux employés politiquement doués une source d’opportunités qui satisfait leurs besoins psychologiques tout en maintenant leurs proactivités. Enfin, en prenant en compte les effets motivationnels du contexte organisationnel politique, nous avons trouvé que ce dernier gêne l’intériorisation de la motivation extrinsèque au travail. En conclusion, l’idée que les jeux politiques ne peuvent pas être éliminés dans les organisations, nous suggérons aux managers d’équiper les employés de ressources psychologiques et sociales afin d’obtenir un fonctionnement optimal à tous les niveaux / This dissertation (in a series of three empirical studies) seeks to explicate how perceived politics in organizations can be used for accomplishing effective employee performance and proactivity, and to lower employees’ intentions to quit. We ground our theoretical frameworks in self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 2000) and also borrow support from conservation of resource theory (Hobfoll, 2002), human agency (Bandura, 2006), and the science of positive psychology (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2014). A quantitative survey was conducted in Pakistan to assess the proposed conceptualizations. Our findings reveal interesting patterns of relationships. We find employees with high psychological capital hold a sustainability demeanor in their performance and proactive behavior, when encountering high perceived politics. At the same time, they experience a psychological vulnerability that drives them to quit. On the contrary, perceived politics presents politically skilled employees an opportunistic / challenging turf that satisfies their innate psychological needs and uphold their proactive activities. Lastly, with regard to the motivational effects of perceived politics, we find that perceived politics hinders the internalization of extrinsic motivation at work. We conclude that employees are an integral part of an organization constituency and their well-being implies an organization’s sustainability. Since, politics cannot be eliminated we suggest managers to equip employees with psychological and social resources for the sake of optimal functioning at all levels

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<p dir="ltr">Student attitudes towards chemistry are a contributing factor to their success in chemistry courses and retention in STEMM in higher education. In the last decade, STEMM attrition rates have been an area of concern in the United States. Research in K12 classrooms has demonstrated that culturally relevant pedagogies (CRP) can improve student learning and attitudes toward STEMM. CRP consists of instructional practices and lessons that connect with students’ cultural backgrounds, experiences, and interests. However, few studies on these practices address long term improvements or treatments in a higher education setting. Integration of ethnoscience in course material is a CRP strategy that utilizes cultural systems of knowledge in relation to coursework. This strategy is now an area of interest in the field of chemistry education. This study uses an action research methodology to integrate ethnochemistry into a large, multicultural, first-year general chemistry course and evaluate the impact on student attitudes towards chemistry.</p>