Optimal Experience Among Teachers: New Insights Into the Work Paradox

ABSTRACT

Several studies highlighted that individuals perceive work as an opportunity for flow or optimal experience, but not as desirable and pleasant. This finding was defined as the work paradox. The present study addressed this issue among teachers from the perspective of self-determination theory, investigating work-related intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, as well as autonomous and controlled behavior regulation. In Study 1, 14 teachers were longitudinally monitored with Experience Sampling Method for one work week. In Study 2, 184 teachers were administered Flow Questionnaire and Work Preference Inventory, respectively investigating opportunities for optimal experience, and motivational orientations at work. Results showed that work-related optimal experiences were associated with both autonomous regulation and with controlled regulation. Moreover, teachers reported both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation at work, with a prevailing intrinsic orientation. Findings provide novel insights on the work paradox, and suggestions for teachers’ well-being promotion.

Keywords:

• motivational orientations
• optimal experience
• self-determination theory
• teachers
• work paradox

Acknowledgments

This research was part of the project “Health promotion at school. From drug prevention to well-being enhancement” that was supported by the Provincial Office of Education of Bari in collaboration with the Regional Office of Education of Puglia, Southern Italy.

The authors would like to thank Michele Roccato for his support in the statistical analysis of WPI items.

Notes

1. In Italy, each student is assigned to the same class (i.e., group of students) for all the years s/he attends high school. A class has a set of teachers, each teaching a different subject to these students, according to their school curriculum. This class of students was selected by the school authorities for its large teaching staff (compared to other classes in the same school).