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THE JOB CHARACTERISTICS MODEL OF MOTIVATION IN A MENTAL HOSPITAL SETTING: A PARTIAL TEST AND EXTENSION TO EXPECTANCY AND SELF-CONSISTENCY THEORIES
Abstract
The primary purpose of this study was to replicate a Job Characteristics Model of motivation in a mental hospital. Additional purposes were to investigate extensions of the Model to Expectancy Theory and to Self-Consistency Theory. A literature review traced motivation theory in the work environment from Scientific Management to the Hackman-Oldham Job Characteristics Model (1976). Theoretical linkages among the Job Characteristics Model, Expectancy Theory, and Self-Consistency Theory were identified. The Hackman-Oldham Model was used as a basis for the replication. It was hypothesized that the relationships stated in the Hackman-Oldham Model among Core Job Dimensions, Critical Psychological States, and Personal/Work Outcomes would be found in a mental hospital setting. A second hypothesis predicted that a central element of Expectancy Theory, the expectancy that performance will lead to valued outcomes (E-2), would relate to the Core Job Dimensions and Critical Psychological States in the same manner as other outcomes described in the original Model. A third hypothesis stated that either global self esteem or a direct assessment of the stated desire for job enrichment would moderate the relationships more effectively than the Model's own individual variable measure of Growth Need Strength. Under voluntary confidential conditions, 202 non-professional, non-managerial employees of a State owned and operated mental hospital completed a questionnaire. The questionnaire contained the complete Hackman-Oldham Job Diagnostic Survey (JDS); a self-esteem measure; a measure of E-2 expectancy; a turnover measure; and a measure of the expressed desire for job enrichment. To facilitate comparisons the methods employed were similar to those used in developing the JDS. Separate correlation analyses were employed for the proposed moderators of self-esteem and desire for job enrichment as well as for two formats of the Model's moderator Growth Need Strength. Each of the four moderators was split into high, middle, and low groups with each group studied for relationships between MPS/Core Job Dimensions and selected outcome measures. Fisher's Z transformations were used to test differences between correlations obtained from the high and low groups. Results supported the replication phase of the study. Elevated scores were noted in Task Significance, Experienced Meaningfulness of the Work, Feedback from the Job, and Internal Work Motivation. Relationships were comparable except for Absenteeism which did not relate to Core Job Dimensions. The hypothesis extending the Model to Expectancy Theory was fully supported. E-2 expectancy measures related to Core Job Dimensions, and intrinsic E-2 items exhibited relatively high values compared to extrinsics. Support for any of the moderator effects was weak. Each moderator affected a different constellation of Dimension/Outcome relationships. Neither self-esteem nor expressed desire for enrichment proved superior to GNS as a moderator. The implications of the results of this study as they relate to a working environment where both the service recipients and employees have vital interests were discussed. Also discussed was the importance of findings in the areas of Internal Work Motivation, Experienced Meaningfulness of the Work and Job Feedback to the organization's clients in a working environment low in performance criteria and high in employee decision latitude. Future research in mental health treatment environments should focus on intrinsic job characteristics, intrinsic outcomes, and individual differences in global self-esteem. Longitudinal quasi-experimental field studies emphasizing the direction rather than the existence or magnitude of relationships are suggested.
Subject Area
Occupational psychology
Recommended Citation
CAMPBELL, WILLIAM EDWARD, "THE JOB CHARACTERISTICS MODEL OF MOTIVATION IN A MENTAL HOSPITAL SETTING: A PARTIAL TEST AND EXTENSION TO EXPECTANCY AND SELF-CONSISTENCY THEORIES" (1980). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI8021339.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI8021339