Positive Psychological Capital, Need Satisfaction, Performance, and Well-Being in Actors and Stunt People

Positive Psychological Capital, Need Satisfaction, Performance, and Well-Being in Actors and Stunt People by Brian C. Hite MS, Capella University, 2006 BS, Rutgers University, 2004 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Organizational Psychology Walden University November 2015 Abstract Positive psychological capital (PsyCap), a second-order construct formed from optimism, hope, resilience, and self-efficacy, has predicted the performance and psychological wellbeing of a variety of full-time workers, and mediators of the relationships between PsyCap and performance and psychological well-being have rarely been examined. Using self-determination theory, broaden-and-build theory, and the conceptual framework of positive psychology, this study was an exploration of (a) the relationships among PsyCap, (b) basic psychological need satisfaction (i.e., autonomy, competence, relatedness), and (c) psychological well-being and performance using a sample of 103 working actors and stunt people. A serial mediation model was proposed whereby PsyCap predicted performance through need satisfaction and psychological well-being. Statistically significant bivariate correlations were found among PsyCap, autonomy, competence, relatedness, psychological well-being, and performance. Multiple regression analyses yielded indirect effects tested for statistical significance using bias-corrected bootstrapping. Results showed a total indirect effect of PsyCap on psychological wellbeing through need satisfaction and a specific indirect effect of PsyCap on psychological well-being through relatedness. Results showed no total indirect effect for PsyCap on performance through need satisfaction but did show a specific indirect effect of PsyCap on performance through relatedness. No statistically significant indirect effects of autonomy, competence, and relatedness on performance through psychological wellbeing were found. Theoretical and practical implications for future researchers, independent workers, and organizations supporting independent workers are discussed.Positive psychological capital (PsyCap), a second-order construct formed from optimism, hope, resilience, and self-efficacy, has predicted the performance and psychological wellbeing of a variety of full-time workers, and mediators of the relationships between PsyCap and performance and psychological well-being have rarely been examined. Using self-determination theory, broaden-and-build theory, and the conceptual framework of positive psychology, this study was an exploration of (a) the relationships among PsyCap, (b) basic psychological need satisfaction (i.e., autonomy, competence, relatedness), and (c) psychological well-being and performance using a sample of 103 working actors and stunt people. A serial mediation model was proposed whereby PsyCap predicted performance through need satisfaction and psychological well-being. Statistically significant bivariate correlations were found among PsyCap, autonomy, competence, relatedness, psychological well-being, and performance. Multiple regression analyses yielded indirect effects tested for statistical significance using bias-corrected bootstrapping. Results showed a total indirect effect of PsyCap on psychological wellbeing through need satisfaction and a specific indirect effect of PsyCap on psychological well-being through relatedness. Results showed no total indirect effect for PsyCap on performance through need satisfaction but did show a specific indirect effect of PsyCap on performance through relatedness. No statistically significant indirect effects of autonomy, competence, and relatedness on performance through psychological wellbeing were found. Theoretical and practical implications for future researchers, independent workers, and organizations supporting independent workers are discussed. Positive Psychological Capital, Need Satisfaction, Performance, and Well-Being in Actors and Stunt People by Brian C. Hite MS, Capella University, 2006 BS, Rutgers University, 2004 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Organizational Psychology Walden University November 2015 Dedication This dissertation is dedicated to my family. Thank you to my parents, Dr. Jim Hite and Ellen Hite, and my sister, Kari Ray, for their unwavering belief in what I could and can accomplish during my lifetime. This accomplishment is most assuredly shared with my wife, Carrie Brewer, and my two daughters, Octavia and Phoenix. Thank you so much for your patience, encouragement, and support for and belief in my ability to complete what I had started before we even met. I love you all very much, and I look forward to the extra time we’ll now be able to spend with each other. Thank you. Acknowledgements I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to my committee chair, Dr. Amy Hakim. I appreciate your dedication and willingness to become my committee chair. Your guidance, positive attitude, and support have been extremely helpful in my successfully completing the dissertation process. It has been a privilege working with you. Thank you to Dr. Vincent Fortunato for serving as my committee member. I absolutely appreciate the knowledge and insight you provided, both with regard to theoretical and methodological issues and structural and formatting issues. This paper is much, much better for you having been a part of its creation. Thank you.