Gallery Presentation International Positive Psychology Association 7th IPPA World Congress 2021

Prospective associations between working alliance, basic psychological needs satisfaction, and coaching outcomes: a two-wave survey study among 182 Dutch coachees (#248)

Margriet Vermeiden 1 , Jennifer Reijnders 1 , Eva van Duin 1 , Marianne Simons 1 , Mayke Janssens 1 2 , Sanne Peeters 1 2 , Nele Jacobs 1 2 , Johan Lataster 1 2
  1. Dept. of Lifespan psychology, Open University, Fac. Psychology & Educational Sciences, Heerlen, The Netherlands
  2. Dept. of Psychiatry & Psychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands

 

Background

According to self-determination theory (SDT; Deci & Ryan, 1980), individual functioning and wellbeing depend upon the satisfaction of three basic psychological needs: autonomy, competence and relatedness. While SDT has been presented as a useful theoretical framework for investigating working alliance processes in coaching (Spence & Oades, 2011; Gabriel et al., 2014), the evidence base for the role of basic psychological needs satisfaction in coaching practice is currently scarce. 

Hypotheses

It was hypothesized that basic psychological needs satisfaction and working alliance quality, as perceived by the coachee, would be positively associated with one another, and predictive of coaching outcomes. 

Sample Characteristics and Sample Size

The study sample consisted of 198 coachees, of which 182 (Mage=43.9yrs; SDage=11.2) provided complete self-reports on all measurement occasions. The sample was predominantly female (68%) and highly educated (79% Bachelor's degree or higher). 

Design

The study followed a two-wave (T0; T1) prospective design, requiring participants to fill out two nearly identical online self-report surveys with an interval of three weeks. Working alliance and basic psychological needs satisfaction, goal attainment as primary outcome, and mental health, wellbeing, and personal growth initiative as secondary outcomes, were assessed at both timepoints. Multiple regression analyses, adjusted for T0 levels of the dependent variable, and number of sessions between measurements, were performed to investigate prospective associations between study variables. 

Results

Goal attainment, mental health, wellbeing, and personal growth initiative increased significantly from T0 to T1. Working alliance and basic psychological needs satisfaction showed positive, reciprocal associations, and were both prospectively and positively associated with the primary outcome goal attainment, but not with secondary outcomes. 

Scientific Contribution

Findings partially support the importance of a good working relationship between coach and coachee, and the satisfaction of basic psychological needs experienced by the coachee, in the context of coaching.

 

  1. Gabriel, A. S., Moran, C. M., & Gregory, J. B. (2014). How can humanistic coaching affect employee well-being and performance? An application of self-determination theory. Coaching: An International Journal of Theory, Research and Practice, 7(1), 56-73.
  2. Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (1980). Self-determination theory: When mind mediates behavior. The Journal of mind and Behavior, 1(1), 33-43.
  3. Spence, Gordon B. and Oades, Lindsay G.: Coaching with self-determination theory in mind: Using theory to advance evidence-based coaching practice 2011, 37-55. https://ro.uow.edu.au/gsbpapers/104
  • Keywords: Coaching, Life span development, Motivation, Relationships