Investigation of the Relationship between Self-determined Motivation and Work Engagement of Faculty Members of Iran University of Medical Sciences

Background and Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between self-determined motivation and work engagement of faculty members of Iran University of Medical Sciences. Materials and Methods: This descriptive and correlational study was performed on faculty members of Iran University of Medical Sciences in four schools of health, medicine, paraclinical and behavioral sciences, and mental health. In total, 100 subjects were selected using the Cochran formula. Research tools included work engagement (Salanova and Schaufeli [2002] with 0.99 reliability). In addition, data analysis was performed in SPSS version 21 using normality, correlation, and multiple regression tests. Results: According to the results, 44% of the subjects were male, and 56% were female. There was a significant and positive correlation between internal, introjected, and self-determined motivation and work engagement of the faculty members. On the other hand, there was a negative and significant relationship between internal and external amotivation and work engagement of the participants. Results indicated that 22% of the variance of work engagement could be predicted based on the dimensions of self-determined work motivation. In addition, 17% of the variance of self-determined motivation could be foreseen according to the dimensions of work engagement. Conclusion: According to the results of the study, high levels of self-determined work motivation could have positive outcomes, such as work engagement. Given the fact that work motivation could be predicted by the dimensions of work engagement, it is necessary to design methods to maintain a high level of work motivation in faculty members by planners and decision makers of this field.