Non-work participation & work attitudes : a test of the expansion model of personal resources mediated by self-efficacy : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Arts in Psychology at Massey University

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NON-WORK PARTICIPATION & WORK ATI'ITUDES: A TEST OF THE EXPANSION

MODEL OF PERSONAL RESOURCES MEDIATED BY SELF-EFFICACY

A thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of

Masters of Arts in Psychology at Massey University

Maurice James Jennings 1994

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II

ABSTRACT

.This study attempted to provide support for Marks' ( 1977) 'expansion' model as applied to the work-family relationship. Essentially, the model predicted that participation in the non-work domain would en~jch our personal resources such as time, energy and commitment. It was also hypothesized that these resources would be positively associated with four work attitudes (i.e., organizational commitment, occupational commitment, job satisfaction, and job involvement). Moreover, it was further hypothesized that the resource enrichment - work attitude link would be mediated by self-efficacy. The four work attitudes however, were not correlated with time spent, and involvement m three non-work domains (i.e., parenting, community and recreation/hobby), although the work attitudes were positively correlated with the resource provided by participation in non-work activities. With the failure of self- efficacy to mediate the relationship between resource enrichment and the work attitudes, The overall conclusion therefore, was that the 'expansion' model of the work-family link was not supported. A number of reasons were put forward and discussed, as to why the data failed .to support the hypotheses, this included the identification of several limitations. Suggestions for future research into the work-family relationship were then put forward.

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111

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

A very warm and special than ks to my supervisor Dr. Ross Flett, whose encouragement, support and good humour helped me keep things in perspective when I could not. I also wish to express my deepest gratitude to Julienne, for her friendship, love and

,

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encouragement. I kriow at times I was not easy to get along with.

Thanks also to all the members of the Rotary, Lions, YWCA and the Business Women's Group whose co-operation and assistance made this study possible, and also to my family. fnends and flatmates who have made the last two years enjoyable and worthwhile

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IV

Organizational Commitment . . . .. .. .. . . Occupational Commitment . . . .. . . .. . . . Job Satisfaction . . . ... . .. .. . . . Job lnvolvement Empirical & theoretical Considerations . . . Non-Work Participation & Work Attitudes . . . . .. . . .. . ... . . 26 28 29 31 32 35 Summary & Conclusions . . . _ . . . . . . . . .. .. . . ... _ 36

SELF-EFFICACY

38 Non-Work Participation, Self-Efficacy & Work Attitudes . . . 41

Summary & Conclusions ... . ... . . .. . . 44

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5

6

7

8 SUMMARY & RESEARCH GOALS

Hypothesis One & Two . . . . Hypothesis Three . .. .. .. .. . Hypothesis Four .. .. .. . . .

METHOD

Participants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . Measures

Organizational Commitment .

Occupational Commitment . . . .. .. . . . .. . . Job Satisfaction . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . ... . Job Involvement & Time Commitment

Non-Work Lnvolvement Resource Enrichment . . Self-Efficacy

Personal Characteristics Procedure

RESULTS

Hypothesis One to Three

Hypothesis One .. . .. . . .. .. . . . Hypothesis Two

Hypothesis Three . . .. . .. . . ... .. ... . .. . . Hypothesis Four .. . . . .. .. . .

Summary

DISCUSSION

Suggestions for Future Research Limitations . . . .. .

Summary & Conclusion . .. . . . ... .

45 46 47 48

50 50 50 51 51 52 53 54 54 55 56 56

58 65 66 67 69 70 78

79 84 86 88

v

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REFERENCES

APPENDICES .... . ... . .... .. .... . .

1 Questionnaire Instructions & Demographic Questions .. . .... . . . 2

3 4

5 6

7

8

9

10

Organizational Commitment Questionnaire . . . .. . . . Occupational Cornrni"iment Questionnaire .... . . ... .. . Job Satisfaction Questionnaire . . . . . . . . . . .. . . Job lnvolvement Questionnaire . . ... .... .... . . ... . . Non-Work Involvement Questionnaire .. ... .. .. . . . Resource Enrichment Questionnaire

Self-Efficacy Questionnaire .. . ..

lnformation Sheet .... .. . .. ... .. .. . .. . .. . ... . . Consent Form . . . .. ... ... .. . . ... . . .

91

102

102 105 107 108 109 110 111 113 114 116

VI

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Vil

FIGURES & TABLES

FIGURES/TABLES

^page

Figure 3.1

The Five Steps In Attitude Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Figure 4.1

Baron & Kenny's Mediational Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Table 7.1

Work Attitude & Self-Efficacy lntercorrelation Matrix 59

Table 7.2

Non-Work Domain lntercorrelation Matrix . . . 61

Table 7.3

Correlations Between Demographic Variables & Work Attitudes,

Self-Efficacy & Non-Work Domain Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Table 7.4

Results of the T-Tests Between Sex & Dependent Variables 65

Table 7.5

Correlations Between Time Spent in the

Non-Work Domain & Work Attitudes ⁶⁷

Table 7.6

Correlations Between Personal lnvolvernent in the

Non-Work Domain & Work Attitudes ... . . . 68

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...

Vlll

Table 7.7

Correlations Between Resource Enrichment in the

Non-Work Domain & Work Attitudes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Table 7.8

Hierarchical Regression Testing the Mediating Effect of Self-Efficacy _,_.

on Resource Enrichment & Organizational Commitment . . . . . . . 72

Table 7.9

Hierarchical Regression Testing the Mediating Effect of Self-Efficacy

on Resource Enrichment & Occupational Commitment . . . . . . . . 74

Table 7.10

Hierarchical Regression Testing the Mediating Effect of Self-Efficacy on Resource Enrichment & Job Satisfaction

Table 7.11