Each One Counts: Basic Needs Mediating the Association Between Social Support and Vitality at Work

Abstract

The aim of this study was to provide new detailed information concerning the role of basic psychological needs in the relations between social support and work-related vitality. Drawing on the self-determination theory, it was hypothesized that support from both co-workers and supervisors is associated with work-related vitality via the needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness. The participants were 109 employees in a preventive vocationally oriented intervention program. Results of the regression and bootstrapping analyses were consistent with the hypotheses, suggesting that each need is essential in the indirect association of social support and vitality at work, regardless of the source of the support. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

Keywords

• self-determination theory
• job demands-resources theory
• social support
• autonomy
• competence
• relatedness