Self-determination Research Articles

Self-determination and perceived learning in online learning communities

This study explores the interplay between Self-Determination (SDT), relatedness, and teaching presence and CoI’s presence (teaching, cognitive, and social) in the context of online educational settings within China. Specifically, the study employs the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to investigate the interaction between SDT (Self-Determination, relatedness, and competence) and the perceived learning outcomes (autonomy, competence, and perceived learning). The underlying structure of the study’s conceptual framework was analyzed through the measurement model and the discriminant validity assessment. The results show that cognitive presence, social presence, and teaching presence are significantly associated with autonomy, competence, relevance, and perceived learning. Moreover, cognitive presence and social presence can potentially augment cognitive processes, amplifying the mediating role of relatedness between cognitive presence and learning outcomes.

Tennis Coaches' Self-Determined Motivation and Achievement Goals: Links between Coach-Created Motivational Climate, Work Engagement, and Well-Being.

Tennis coaches display significant influence, catalyzing changes in athlete performance, motivation, and overall well-being. Research on coaches' motivations and their impact on coaching style, work, and well-being is limited, especially in individual sports like tennis. Based on self-determination (SDT) and achievement goal (AGT) theories, the aim of the present study was to examine the relationships of coaches' self-determined motivation (intrinsic, extrinsic, and amotivation), basic psychological needs satisfaction (autonomy, relatedness, and competence), and achievement goals (self-improvement-SI, self-enhancement-SE, self-transcendence-ST) with their coach-created empowering-disempowering motivational climate, work engagement, and well-being (subjective vitality). Participants were 106 tennis coaches from Greece (66 males and 40 females), with an average age of 41.30 ± 12.54 years and coaching experience ranging from six months to 40 years. Data was collected through online questionnaires. Correlation analysis revealed that intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, satisfaction of the three basic psychological needs, and achievement goals were found to be positively related to an empowering climate, work engagement, and subjective vitality. Coaches' amotivation was positively related to a disempowering climate. Multiple regression analyses showed that autonomy and ST achievement goals significantly predicted tennis coaches' empowering motivational climate, while none of the independent variables were significant predictors of the disempowering motivational climate. Additionally, intrinsic motivation and ST goal significantly predicted tennis coaches' work engagement, while autonomy and ST goal significantly predicted their subjective vitality. It is advisable for forthcoming coach education initiatives to consider these findings as an additional justification for tennis coaches to incorporate multiple perspectives into their coaching methodologies.

The Mediating Role of Self-Determination in the Relationship Between Assistive Technology and Employment Outcomes for People with Disabilities in Saudi Arabia

The current research study conducts an investigation of the dynamic relationship between three key variables: assistive technology (AT) provision, self-determination (SD), and employment outcomes (EOs) as they pertain to persons with disabilities (PwDs) in Saudi Arabia (KSA). The main objective of the study is to investigate the function of AT in improving EOs for PwDs and contextualize the mediating effect of SD on the observed relationship. The study features a quantitative study design which utilizes survey data obtained from a sample size of 120 PwDs. The study participants are employed in either private or public sector organizations situated in Riyadh and Al-Jouf regions of KSA. The conducted survey provides measurements, using a Likert scale, for AT provision, various aspects of SD (decision-making autonomy, self-belief, self-advocacy, goal setting, and persistence and resilience), and EOs (job placement, satisfaction, retention, income level, and career advancement). For data analysis, the study utilizes the partial least square-structural equation modeling. The study findings demonstrate significant direct and indirect effects of AT provision on EOs for PwDs—with SD playing a key mediating role. Specifically, positive effects of AT can be observed in job placement, satisfaction, income level, retention, and career advancements—SD is observed as a key facilitator of AT adoption and effectiveness (EFF) within workplace settings. The findings emphasize the key role of AT investment (accessibility and EFF) in the enhancement of the SD skills of PwDs, and the resulting effect of more inclusive workplace environments for PwDs in KSA.

Effect of Transformational Leadership and Organizational Citizenship Behavior: Determining the Roles of Supervisor Identification, and Self-determination in the Automobile Industry

Background and Purpose: The present study analyses the impact of transformational (TL), transactional (TRL) and laissez-faire styles (LSF) of leadership on Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB) of employees in the context of the automobile industry. Moreover, the study also focuses on the mediating effect of self-determination (SDE) and the moderating role of supervisor identification (SD) on the proposed correlation. Method: The primary data for the study was collected by designing a survey questionnaire. The questionnaires were distributed among the employees from the automobile industry and a final sample of 312 responses was utilized. The data was analyzed through the application of PLS-SEM. Findings: The study validated a positive and significant relationship between LSF and OCB. Similarly, TRL and OCB were positively and significantly related. Notably, TL was an insignificant predictor of OCB. SD exerted a significant moderating role in the association between TRL and SDE only. The evaluation of the mediating role of SDE in the association between leadership styles and OCB revealed that SDE significantly mediated the association between TL and OCB, and TRL and OCB. Nevertheless, SDE was an insignificant mediator in the association between LSF and OCB. Conclusion and Implications: Thus, the findings of the present study hold significance for leaders from automobile industry leaders and offer guidance to design strategies for enhancing the OCB and workplace engagement through effective leadership strategies.

Territorial Government Communications Agencies Military Personnel Professional Motivation Specifics

The article presents the results of an empirical study of the military personnel professional activity specifics. The relevance of this work is determined. Its purpose, hypothesis, theoretical and practical significance, as well as theoretical and methodological justifications are indicated. The theory of self-determination (SDT) by E. Desi and R. Ryan is briefly described. The base and sample of the study are described. The used psychodiagnostics techniques are presented, the methods of mathematical and statistical processing of the obtained data are listed. The significant differences and interrelations found during the study are listed, statistical data, their psychological interpretation and possible explanation are presented. Conclusions are drawn about the possible prospects for further empirical research in this area.

Scrutinising the Impact of Green HRM Practices, Green Values, Lean-Agile Mindset on Green Behaviour: A Conceptual Framework

This conceptual paper aims to explore the relationships and interactions among Green Human Resource Management practices (Green HRM practices), Green Values, and a Lean-Agile Mindset in relation to Green Behavior. The focus of this paper is on employees within the manufacturing industry. Green HRM practices have been recognized as an important approach for organizations to promote environmental sustainability and well-being. However, there is a need to better understand the true impact of Green HRM practices on Green Behavior. To address this gap, this study develops a comprehensive conceptual framework that integrates the Self-Determination (SD) Theory and Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) Theory. The critical dimensions of Green HRM practices identified through a literature review include Green Training, Green Performance Management, Green Recruitment and Selection, Green Rewards and Incentives, and Green Involvement. The findings of this study emphasize the mediating role of Green Values and a Lean-Agile Mindset in the relationship between Green HRM practices and Green Behavior. By shedding light on these relationships, this study contributes to the existing literature on Green HRM practices and underscores the potential benefits of incorporating green practices into HRM strategies.

Completing the incomplete: bridging human resource management and knowledge transfer in a disruptive context

ABSTRACT The efficiency and service quality of healthcare organisations is driven by effective knowledge transfer among healthcare professionals. Specialised medical units are complex organisations where professionals with different profiles need to work together and coordinate closely in their daily tasks. A deeper understanding of the antecedents of knowledge transfer is likely to shed light on how medical units deliver effective service quality in a disruptive context. In this study, we draw on the ability, motivation and opportunity (AMO) framework and self-determination (SDT) theory. Data was gathered in 2021 through an electronic questionnaire. Structural equation models and bootstrapping method were employed, in a sample of 506 medical specialists (61% men, 39% women), to examine whether AMO HR practices positively impact on knowledge transfer during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results show that strategic leadership only mediates the effect of AMO HR practices on knowledge transfer when it fosters resilience among medical specialists.

How do midwives deal with women’s preferences during childbirth in Germany? An action model

Abstract Background Midwifery care is increasingly discussed in terms of its ability to promote a self-determined childbirth. The degree of self-determination (SD) depends on the extent to which women's preferences are negotiated and implemented. From the perspective of midwives in different obstetric settings in Germany, this study answered the research question: “How do midwives deal with women's preferences during birth?”. Methods 11 semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with active midwives. The sample showed a high variance in terms of obstetric settings (clinics, birth centers, home births), regions, and participants’ characteristics (e. g. experience, age). All interviews were recorded, transcribed, anonymized, and analyzed using the Grounded Theory Methodology (Strauss/Corbin, 1994). Results A model consisting of 7 steps was developed: 1) Interpret the situation; 2) Prioritize relevant parameters; 3) Determine a frame of possibilities; 4) Match the preference(s) to the frame of possibilities; 5) Negotiate preference(s); 6) Continuously monitor contextual/situational changes; 7) Adjust the frame of possibilities. The actions are related to contextual conditions (structural; interpersonal; personal; health situation; course of birth; understanding of birth). The model shows how midwives can promote SD even if prior preferences are discarded or modified at birth. Conclusions The model describes how midwives in Germany deal with women's preferences during birth, which factors they consider decisive in doing so, and how SD may be promoted despite of discarded or modified preferences. Further research should examine the role of relationship building, test the model with regard to its generalizability, and use it to analyze and support person-centered midwifery care. Key messages • The model describes how midwives in different obstetric settings in Germany deal with women’s preferences during birth and, thereby, influence self-determination. • Midwives can promote self-determination also if prior preferences are discarded, modified, or redeveloped at birth.

Within Ethnic Population Inequality and within Self-Determination Movement Violence

Dual bargaining commonly characterizes a number of self-determination (SD) conflicts. SD organizations making self-determination claims contest the state but also contest rival SD organizations. This article examines variation in SD organization violence against other SD organizations. It hypothesizes that (i) higher levels of ethnic population inequality (WPI) are pivotal for explaining violence between SD organizations, and (ii) the relationship occurs at higher rates when an SD organization in the SD movement has previously used violence against the state. Survey-based data on WPI from 1992 to 2005 and SD organization violence demonstrate that higher WPI associates with an increased probability of an SD organization using violence against other SD organizations. The association is driven by situations in which an SD organization within the SD movement previously used violence against the state. The findings are robust to secondary analysis at the ethnic group level, inclusion of additional covariates, sensitivity tests for omitted variable bias, various model specifications, subset analyses, matching techniques and tests for reverse causality. This article demonstrates that ethnic population inequality levels as well as SD organization interactions with the state may have meaningful consequences for violent behavior between SD organizations.

Possibilities of using the assumptions of positive psychology in the process of preparing children to cope with crisis situations

The text presents the possibilities of using selected assumptions of positive psychology in the process of preparing students at a younger school age to cope with the civilization threats of the 21st century (pandemics, migrations, wars, hunger, etc.), understood as crises that can be learned to overcome. In the process of education, especially in early childhood, the issue of threats to civilization is usually ignored, e.g. therefore, there are more and more disturbing phenomena in the lives of children and adolescents (aggression, depression, withdrawal, etc.).The assumptions of positive psychology are presented and used in this text not as a starting point for designing therapeutic activities, but for designing preventive educational processes. The text also refers to the theory of self-determination (SDT) by E. Deci and R. Ryan, and in particular to one of its sub-theories relating to human needs and motivation. The need to ensure that the child in the education process meets the three most basic human needs: competences, relations with others and autonomy - treated as necessary conditions for children's well-being and learning to cope with crises that appear "here and now" and in the future.

Participative leadership effects on followers' radical creativity: role of creative process engagement and supervisor support for creativity

PurposeDrawn on self-determination (SDT) and social cognitive theory (SCT), this study examines how participative leadership (PL) influences the creative process engagement of followers (CPE) on fostering followers' radical creativity (FRC) through the supervisor support for creativity (SSC). It also demonstrates the CPE as a cognitive mediator between PL and FRC and SSC as a behavioral moderator between PL and CPE in Asia's manufacturing settings.Design/methodology/approachThe research is quantitative, and data are gathered using a questionnaire and a survey of Bangladesh's 252 textile and apparel industry respondents. SPSS 26 and SMART PLS 3.8 evaluated the measurement and structural models and other descriptive analyses for hypothesis testing and result confirmation.FindingsThe findings revealed that PL positively impacted followers' creative process engagement. Again, the CPE of followers was used to mediate PL and FRC to promote and determine radical creativity. Moreover, the research also found a substantial correlation between PL and the creative process involved in supervisor support for creativity, which increases followers' radical creativity.Research limitations/implicationsThis study contributes to the current literature by extending the scope of PL, CPE, FRC, SDT and SCT theory incorporating supervisor support.Practical implicationsThe findings showed that textile and apparel industry managers, leaders and practitioners could use participatory leadership to engage in collaborative leader-follower creativity goal setting, creativity-relevant thinking and talent flourishing to encourage and motivate creativity through supervisor support to followers to foster radical creativity.Originality/valueThe results demonstrate the colloquial expression in behavioral mechanism (creative process engagement) nurtured with the cognitive tool, shedding insight into the link between PL and radical creativity in followers (SSC for promoting radical creativity).

Perspectives of adolescents with disabilities and their parents regarding autonomous decision-making and self-determination

BackgroundParents’ promotion of autonomous decision-making (PADM) is essential for adolescents with disabilities and constitutes the basis for maturation of self-determination (SD). SD develops based on adolescents’ capacities and the opportunities offered to them at home and at school, to make personal decisions regarding their life. AimExamine the associations between the PADM and SD of adolescents with disabilities from their own perspective and that of their parents. MethodSixty-nine adolescents with disabilities and one of their parents completed a self-report questionnaire including PADM and SD scales. OutcomesThe findings showed associations between parents’ and adolescents’ reports of PADM, and opportunities for SD at home. PADM was associated with capacities for SD among adolescents. Gender differences were also apparent, with both adolescent girls and their parents reporting higher ratings of SD than adolescent boys. ConclusionsParents who promote autonomous decision-making among their adolescent children with disabilities start a virtuous circle by offering greater opportunities for SD within the home. In turn, these adolescents rate their SD as higher, and communicate this perspective to their parents. Consequently, their parents offer them more opportunities for autonomous decision-making at home, thus enhancing their SD.

Choosing tactics: The efficacy of violence and nonviolence in self-determination disputes

Disputes over self-determination (SD) have led to many civil wars, and a primary alternative, nonviolent campaign, is rarely successful in this context. Yet, while secession is rare, these movements often achieve more limited successes in the form of concessions from the state. This article provides a new assessment of the efficacy of different tactics – violent, nonviolent and conventional political action. It advances an argument that nonviolent tactics can help SD movements to generate indirect pressure on states that contributes to movement success, including greater autonomy. Nonviolence is used to garner attention from international actors using a human rights frame for their cause. International actors that are receptive to these human rights narratives then incentivize concessions for the SD movements and dis-incentivize repression. This happens through a variety of means, such as public shaming of the host state and withholding inter-governmental organization membership. Statistical analysis of violent and nonviolent tactics in SD movements shows that nonviolence can be effective in successfully obtaining concessions. Movements that use nonviolence are twice as likely to see concessions in any given year compared to those that just make demands but do not use nonviolence or violence. The effect of nonviolence is slightly larger than that of violence, which is also associated an increased chance of concession.

Worldview defence and self‐determination theory explain the return of racial voting: Evidence from the 2016 US election

AbstractWe use self‐determination (SDT) and worldview defence theories (WDT) to explicate the psychological roots of identitarian voting in recent US, UK and EU elections. We test our theory using the 2016 US election as a case study, data from a representative sample of nearly half a million Americans, and a measure of racial animus derived from Google search data. We find that worry has a strong and significant positive association with Trump's vote share, as predicted by WDT. However, this is reversed in counties with high levels of relatedness—one of the three basic psychological needs emphasised by SDT. The positive relationship between racial animus and Trump also loses significance once an interaction between racial animus and relatedness is introduced. These results imply that identitarianism is driven at least in part by a desire for in‐group affiliation emerging out of worldview defence and unmet basic psychological needs.

Relationship between Student’s Self-Determination, Parental Involvement, Special Education Teachers’ Support, and College and Career Readiness among Secondary Students with Learning Disabilities in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Students’ self-determination (SD), parental involvement (PI), special education teachers’ support (SETS) in non-academic skills, and college and career readiness (CCR) among secondary students with learning disabilities (SLDs) have been assessed from various perspectives. This study focuses on understanding the levels and relationship between students’ SD, PI, and SETS in non-academic skills, and CCR among SLDs in secondary schools from the point of view of SLDs, SLDs’ parents, and special education teachers. In addition, this study aimed to verify the gender of SLD as a moderator in the relationship between students’ SD and their CCR. Thus, this study designed and developed three sets of questionnaires to investigate the relationship between students’ SD, PI, SETS, and CCR among secondary SLDs. The three questionnaires were designed separately to address the SLDs, SLDs’ parents, and special education teachers. The questionnaires were answered by 263 SLDs, 264 SLDs’ parents, and 63 special education teachers in secondary schools in Riyadh who were selected by using stratified sampling technique and consideration of the sample size to represent the target population of the study. The results revealed that SLDs and special education teachers have a higher level of SD and a higher level of special education teachers’ support than parents. The results also indicated that PI is not positively or significantly related to CCR. However, the results indicated that SETS is positively and significantly associated with the student’s CCR. Furthermore, the results showed the path coefficient between Students’ SD and SETS were not statistically significant (β = 0.171; t < 1.96; p > 0.05) but were significantly different between PI and SETS (β = 0.749; t > 1.96; p < 0.05). Moreover, the results indicated a significant mediating effect of SETS in the relationship between PI and the endogenous variable, CCR, for SLDs in Riyadh. Additionally, students’ gender moderated the relationship between students’ SD and their CCR. The findings of this study suggest that improving students’ SD and PI, and SETS, may help in fostering CCR among secondary SLDs, and it has a significant implication for parents and special education teachers to be aware of and a greater focus on the importance of developing these aspects.

Factors promoting or limiting self-determined childbirth: midwives’ perspectives in Germany

Abstract Background Claims for self-determined childbirth (SDC) have gained increasing scientific, political and societal attention. However, research on SDC is limited. This study analyzes and compares midwives’ experiences and perspectives on factors that promote or limit SDC in hospitals, birthing centers and during home births in Germany. We argue that these insights are essential in order to foster self-determination and to avoid its violation. Methods A qualitative case study was conducted based on semi-structured face-to-face interviews with midwives working in hospitals, birthing centers, and offering home births in Germany. In total, nine interviews were conducted in 2021 and have been audiotaped, transcribed, anonymized and analyzed by use of Thematic Analysis. Results The results indicate eight inter-related categories, each of which imply promoting and limiting factors: 1) Structural/ legal conditions; 2) Perception of birth (e. g. as natural or medical process; required competence and control); 3) Trust and atmosphere; 4) Getting acquainted/relationship building; 5) Birthing person’s socioeconomic position; 6) Birthing person’s preparation/ education; 7) Birthing person’s capability of decision making and expression; and 8) Behavior of accompanying persons. Moreover, we identified midwives’ strategies to extend possibilities of choice. Several factors clearly differ depending on the birth setting. Conclusions The opportunities for SDC seem to differ according to the setting (e.g. institutional routines), inter-personal relations (e.g. getting acquainted, trust), and individual factors (e.g. socioeconomic position, capabilities). Hence, political, institutional and individual strategies may support SDC in consideration of the above factors. Measures may, among others, include the improvement of information processes, the reduction of economic barriers, relationship building before and during birth as well as respective structural adjustments. Key messages • Self-determination (SD) in childbirth is influenced by several factors at individual, inter-personal, institutional and macro level. • Individual, institutional and political strategies may support SD.

Costly Concessions, Internally Divided Movements, and Strategic Repression: A Movement-Level Analysis

Abstract Is government repression of self-determination (SD) movements affected by the internal structure of the movements? This article investigates the relation between internal fragmentation of SD movements and state repression. While internal fragmentation of domestic challengers is well-documented in conflict studies, its effect on state repression is largely overlooked by the extant literature. Here, I argue that inter-faction competition and disagreements within an internally divided movement constrain the government's ability to negotiate concessions in a way that can satisfy all the actors involved, engendering incentives to repress the movement. I expect that the degree to which this mechanism operates depends on the extent to which the movement is internally fragmented. The findings show that higher degrees of within-movement fragmentation are positively associated with higher levels of repression, and this effect is greater in the presence of active violent militants but smaller in the presence of one or a few dominant faction(s). This study sheds light on the mechanisms that drive repression over SD disputes, which often lead to escalation of violence and civil conflict onset. A deeper understanding of these mechanisms can help with the development of early warning systems and conflict prevention in the political practice of national and international organizations.

Not All Roads Lead to Rome: Bridging HRM, Strategic Leadership and Knowledge Transfer in Healthcare

The efficiency and service quality of healthcare organizations is driven by effective knowledge transfer between healthcare professionals. Specialized medical units are complex organizations where professionals with different profiles need to work together closely and in a coordinated fashion. A deeper understanding of knowledge transfer antecedents could shed light on how medical units deliver effective service quality. In this study, we draw on the Ability, Motivation and Opportunity (AMO) framework and self-determination (SDT) theory, which is still in its infancy in public management. In a sample of 508 medical specilialists, we examine whether and how HR practices based on the AMO framework (training, opportunities for development, participation in decision-making, and communication) positively impact on knowledge transfer. The results show that strategic leadership mediates the effect of AMO HR practices on knowledge transfer only when it fosters resilience among medical specialists.

The Psychological Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Postsecondary Students: An Analysis of Self-Determination.

The COVID-19 pandemic has put postsecondary students across the world at risk of psychological distress, negatively impacting their basic psychological well-being, including self-determination. Although the concept of self-determination has been widely discussed in literature, it is poorly understood within the context of postsecondary students during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to examine the concept of self-determination (SD) as it relates to postsecondary students amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The Rodgers’ evolutionary method of concept analysis was used. PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and ERIC were electronically searched using the keywords “postsecondary students” “coronavirus pandemic” and “self-determination.” The historical, legal, educational, and health science literature were investigated to generate a holistic definition of SD in the past. This analysis has identified the antecedents, attributes, and consequences of self-determination in postsecondary students during this global health crisis. This analysis adds to the knowledge base regarding the evolution, significance, and application of the concept of SD in the context of postsecondary students amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Implications for future research were also explored, such as using strategies to promote SD in postsecondary students to develop resilience during the pandemic.

Impact of cognitive-behavioral motivation on student engagement

This study explores the relationship between student motivation and student engagement. The study, which is rooted in the self-determination (SDT) and engagement (JD-R) theories, responds to the contemporary call for studying this relationship. A bipartite construct of motivation measures both positive and negative components of motivation and structural equation modeling (SEM) by using data from 693 undergraduate and graduate students. In doing so, the study finds that student motivation is an antecedent of engagement. Adaptive cognition and behavior are positively related to engagement (β = 0.30, β = 0.60); maladaptive cognitions and behavior are negatively related to engagement (β = -0.54). The study advances SDT and JD-R. Implications for educationists and possible interventions to enhance motivation and, consequently, engagement are discussed. The study brings clarity to the student motivation-engagement relationship.