Vocational Anticipatory Socialization, Self-Determination Theory, and Meaningful Work: Parents’ and Children’s Recollection of Memorable Messages About Work

Jennifer A. Scarduzio, Kevin Real, Amanda Slone, Zachary Henning

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study explored memorable messages that parents recall communicating and young adults recall receiving about meaningfulness and work, using the lens of self-determination theory (SDT). Analysis of 377 memorable messages revealed that such messages relate to the basic psychological needs underlying SDT competence, autonomy, and relatedness. Autonomy messages were the most commonly recalled by fathers’ whereas mothers’ messages aligned more with competence. Our research suggests implications for the important link between SDT and meaningful work in the context of parent–child relationships. Our theoretical implications extend the connections between the components of SDT and meaningful work and explore how parents’ and young adults’ match and mismatch.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)431-461
Number of pages31
JournalManagement Communication Quarterly
Volume32
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1 2018

Keywords

  • anticipatory socialization
  • meaningful work
  • memorable messages
  • self-determination theory

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Communication
  • Strategy and Management

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