Abstract
The main goal of the present study was to validate the Work-related Basic Need Satisfaction (W-BNS) scale in the Italian social context. Three studies were carried out. Study 1 was conducted on two samples of employees. Exploratory factor analysis and parallel analysis were run on the first sample, whereas confirmatory factor analyses were run on the second. Results supported the three-dimensional structure of the W-BNS scale. Study 2 was conducted on a third sample of employees. Results supported the construct validity of the scale, by showing that needs for competence, autonomy, and relatedness were associated with job resources (social support, job autonomy, professional growth), low burnout, and job attitudes (job satisfaction, turnover intentions, commitment). In addition, results showed that responses to the scale were not affected by social desirability bias. Study 3 was conducted to evaluate the nomological validity of the scale (the sample grouped together all respondents from Studies 1 and 2). A model was tested in which organizational commitment mediated the relationship between basic needs and two outcomes (job satisfaction, intentions to leave). Organizational commitment was measured by using the Klein et al. Unidimensional Target-free scale (the KUT). Results supported the nomological validity of the scale. In line with our expectations, the three needs were associated with the KUT, which in turn mediated the effects of needs on the outcomes. Practical implications of findings and directions for future research are discussed.
Highlights
Over the last decades, Self-Determination Theory (SDT; Deci and Ryan, 2000; Ryan and Deci, 2000, 2008, 2017) has become increasingly popular in several psychological domains
We need to confirm the good psychometric properties of the Work-related Basic Need Satisfaction (W-BNS) scale (Van den Broeck et al, 2010) and to show its validity in different social contexts. We focused on this measure of basic needs, because it shows several psychometric superiorities over the Deci et al (2001) scale: the W-BNS scale, is more reliable and has higher content validity (Van den Broeck et al, 2016, p. 1200)
In the four-factor model, factors were not well defined, and the fourth dimension was composed of only two items, one indicating competence and the other relatedness (“I doubt whether I am able to execute my job properly”; “I often feel alone when I am with my colleagues”)
Summary
Self-Determination Theory (SDT; Deci and Ryan, 2000; Ryan and Deci, 2000, 2008, 2017) has become increasingly popular in several psychological domains. According to this theory, well-being, personal growth, and individual optimal functioning are strongly associated with the fulfillment of three basic psychological needs: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Need for relatedness represents the inherited desire to be loved and cared for, to experience closeness and connection with other people (Baumeister and Leary, 1995; Deci and Ryan, 2000). Basic needs are viewed as crucial in determining intensity, duration, and direction of behavior, regardless of situations and contexts
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