title: Examining the Roles of Work Autonomous and Controlled Motivations on Satisfaction and Anxiety as a Function of Role Ambiguity.
abstract: Past research in the self-determination theory has shown that autonomous motivation is associated with positive outcomes (e.g., work satisfaction), whereas controlled motivation is related to negative outcomes (e.g., anxiety). The purpose of the present research was to examine the moderating function of role ambiguity on the relationships between work autonomous and controlled motivations on the one hand, and work satisfaction and anxiety on the other. Six hundred and ninety-eight workers (449 men and 249 women) participated in this study. Results revealed that autonomous motivation was most strongly related to satisfaction when ambiguity was low. In addition, controlled motivation was most strongly related to anxiety when ambiguity was high. In other words, the present findings suggest that the outcomes associated with each form of motivation may vary as a function of role ambiguity. The present study thus offers meaningful insights for organizations, managers, and employees.
authors.affiliation: a Université François-Rabelais de Tours.
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gillet
authors.affiliation: a Université François-Rabelais de Tours.
authors.forename: Evelyne
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fouquereau
authors.affiliation: b McGill University.
authors.forename: Marc-André K
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Lafrenière
authors.affiliation: a Université François-Rabelais de Tours.
authors.forename: Tiphaine
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Huyghebaert
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: anxiety; satisfaction; self-determination theory; work motivation