Quality of Relationships at Work and Psychological Need Satisfaction and Thwarting: Evidence From Three Studies

• In Event: AERA Poster Session 10
  In Poster Session: Motivation in Education SIG Poster Session: Contextual Factors, Teacher Motivation, and Motivational Interventions (San Diego)

Abstract

This research aims to examine the quality of interpersonal relationships (QIR) in connection with the satisfaction and thwarting of basic psychological needs (BPNs) among employees in school settings. Three studies were conducted. Study 1 (n=266 staff members) and Study 2 (n=300 teachers) show that the QIR with administration and colleagues is positively associated with BPNs satisfaction and negatively with BPNs thwarting. Study 3 (n=180 teachers) aimed to replicate the findings of Studies 1 and 2 using a prospective design. Results provided partial support for the model: the QIR with administration is negatively associated with BPNs thwarting (competence, autonomy); the QIR with colleagues is positively associated with BPNs satisfaction (relatedness, competence, autonomy) and negatively associated with BPNs thwarting (competence, autonomy).

Authors

• Alice Levasseur, Université Laval

• Louise Clément, Université Laval

• Caterina Mamprin, Université de Moncton