Integrating clinical psychology to motivation in work life: Development and validation of rational emotive self determination scale for workers

This study is a scale development study for the use of clinical psychology in business life. The scale established on assumptions of Rational Emotive Behavior Theory (REBT) and Self Determination Theory (SDT). The scale measures irrational beliefs on three basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, relatedness) of individuals. The idea of the combination explains human cognition in a different perspective: irrational beliefs and basic psychological needs has been evaluated in same track in order to collect data about how people unhealthy thinking styles on the psychological needs interfere their work motivation. The scale can be used in work places to measure irrational beliefs of their autonomy, competence and relatedness needs. Basic psychological needs are important concepts on human motivation, especially in work environment. What are the cognitive factors prevent workers being motivated toward their tasks and jobs? The measure partly answers the question. Outcomes of development of Rational Emotive Self Determination Scale for Workers (RESD-W) study provided promising results. The psychometric properties of the 16-item RESD-W were examined through 7 phases with assesing the factor structure of the RESD-A with explonatory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis, the reliability of the scale, test retest analysis, and construct validity. 607 participants were recruited from city of Istanbul and Ankara for this research. Analyses confirmed that theoretical expectations and yielded positive outcomes. According to outcomes RESD-W is a reliable and valid scale. The results were discussed with regard to practice, arguing that an examination of work life motivational and well-being problems through the integrated lens theoretical principles of REBT and SDT may provide an integrative perspective.