Development and validation of the Workplace Relational Needs Satisfaction Scale (W-RNSS)

Hanc, Veronika (author), Žvelc, Gregor (author), Bajec, Boštjan (author)

While inadequate relationships in the workplace pose a significant psychosocial risk, quality interpersonal relationships can contribute to positive effects and prevent negative outcomes. Erskine’s model of relational needs, not yet studied in the work environment, can provide a more detailed understanding of the needs employees experience in their workplace relationships. We adapted the general Relational Needs Satisfaction Scale (RNSS) for coworker relationships and examined the factor structure of relational needs in the workplace and their connections to various work aspects. The sample comprised 273 participants, including both employees and students, in a workplace setting with coworkers. The results show that the Workplace Relational Needs Satisfaction Scale (W-RNSS) is a valid and reliable instrument (α = 0.93 for the total scale and 0.77 < α < 0.89 for the subscales) for measuring relational needs in coworker relationships. A bi-factor model was the most suitable for describing the data (χ2/df = 1.94, CFI = 0.95, TLI = 0.94, NNFI = 0.94, RMSEA = 0.06, SRMR = 0.04, AIC = 13289.27, BIC = 13506.29), confirming the previously supported 5-factor structure and the general factor. Satisfaction of relational needs was associated with higher work satisfaction, increased work engagement, greater motivation and lower burnout, underscoring the importance of quality interpersonal relationships among employees. W-RNSS shows potential for researching connections with other work aspects and practical applications in prevention and intervention strategies.

• Language: English
• Keywords: relational needs, personnel, interpersonal relationships, work environment, Workplace relational needs satisfaction scale W-RNSS, Work-related basic needs satisfaction scale W-BNS, Utrecht work engagement scale UWES-9, Work satisfaction scale, Oldenburg burnout inventory OLBI
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: FF - Faculty of Arts
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Publication date: 27.06.2024
• Year: 2024
• Number of pages: 15 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 15, art. 1419765
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-159722
• UDC: 159.9.072:331.104.2
• ISSN on article: 1664-1078
• DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1419765
• COBISS.SI-ID: 202271235
• Publication date in RUL: 19.07.2024

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Frontiers in psychology
• Shortened title: Front. psychol.
• Publisher: Frontiers Media
• ISSN: 1664-1078
• COBISS.SI-ID: 519967513

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: relacijske potrebe, zaposleni, medosebni odnosi, delovno okolje, Lestvica zadovoljenosti relacijskih potreb na delovnem mestu W-RNSS, Lestvica zadovoljenosti z delom povezanih temeljnih potreb W-BNS, Vprašalnik delovne zavzetosti UWES-9, Lestvica delovnega zadovoljstva, Vprašalnik izgorelosti OLBI

Projects

• Funder: ARIS - Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency
• Project number: P5-0110
• Name: Psihološki in nevroznanstveni vidiki kognicije