Master of Arts (Counselling & Guidance)

This research examines Singapore employees’ work motivation through the application of self-determination theory (SDT). The research aims to understand the functions of different types of motivation in the work environment to assess whether they improve employees’ well-being. This is achieved by investigating the relationships between autonomy support, motivation and employees’ well-being in Singapore.

A total of 226 (98 male and 128 female) participants who are currently employed participated in this study. The research was a cross-sectional study and self-reported questionnaires were administered to the participants.

Results showed perceived autonomy support to be positively correlated with autonomous forms of motivation (intrinsic motivation and identified regulation) and job satisfaction, while negatively correlated with amotivation, burnout symptoms, and negative work-related well-being. Findings also indicated that perceived autonomy support was a positive predictor of job satisfaction, and had a negatively predictive relationship with burnout symptoms and negative work-related well-being. Results also indicated that perceived autonomy support predicted disengagement directly and indirectly through the mediating roles of intrinsic motivation, identified regulation and amotivation, demonstrating the mediating role of work motivation.

The findings highlighted the importance of autonomy support and its relationship with employees’ work motivation and their work-related well-being in the Singapore context. Practical implications and suggestions how to enhance employees’ work well-being was discussed and suggestions for future research were proposed.