Self-determination and self-efficacy among female Veterans in management positions

Abstract: The purpose of this quantitative correlational-predictive study was to examine if and to what extent Amotivation, Extrinsic Regulation, Introjected Regulation, Identified Regulation, and Intrinsic Motivation, individually and combined, predicted Self-efficacy among female veterans in management positions in the United States. This study used theoretical foundations of self-determination and self-efficacy, adding to the scant literature on female veterans and leadership. Using the Multidimensional Work Motivation Scale and the General Self-Efficacy Scale, multiple regression was employed to test two research questions ( N = 130). Amotivation, extrinsic regulation, introjected regulation, identified regulation, and intrinsic motivation combined did significantly predict self-efficacy among female veterans in management positions, F (5, 124) = 2.348, p = .045. When examined separately, Identified Regulation was the only variable in the model that predicted variance in Self-Efficacy, explaining 8.1% of the variance. When all five predictors were considered together, they only predicted .50% more of the variance in Self-efficacy. Using simple linear regression, Identified Regulation was then examined alone. Identified Regulation significantly predicted Self-efficacy, (β = .922; p = .001). This study proposed a need for future research in determining the specific characteristics of self-determination to identify predictors of self-efficacy expectantly, and its importance or unimportance to management is warranted. The findings of Identified Regulation as a predictor of Self-efficacy recognize the importance of work roles and behaviors with perceived ability to succeed.