Psychological Flexibility, Motivation and Employee Performance among Employees at posta Uganda
Abstract
The main purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between psychological flexibility, motivation and employee performance. The study was intended to achieve the following objectives; to analyze the relationship between psychological flexibility and motivation, to examine the relationship between motivation and employee performance and to understand the relationship between psychological flexibility and employee performance among employees of Posta Uganda.
The study adopted a correlational survey design. The study used a sample size of 120 respondents who were selected using simple random sampling technique. Data for analysis was obtained by use of a standard questionnaire designed by the researcher. Information obtained was analyzed quantitatively with the aid of statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 16.0 computer software. The study hypotheses were tested using Pearson’s (r) correlation coefficient and significance at the 99- confident limit (two tailed level).
The results of the study were; there is a positive significant relationship between psychological flexibility and motivation (r=.436, p=.001), there is a positive significant relationship between motivation and employee performance (r=.728, p=.001), and there is a positive significant relationship between psychological flexibility and employee performance (r=.694, p=.001). The results showed that since the P value was greater than the level of significance, the alternative hypotheses were retained and it was concluded that the variables were significantly related.
Following the above conclusion, the following recommendations were made; more emphasis should be put on embracing the present moment and valued goals instead of trying to control or remove unpleasant experiences, management should engage in continuous development of motivational practices and further research should focus on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy techniques to increase psychological flexibility of employees so that challenging or changing thoughts and emotions are no longer barriers in order to achieve optimal performance from motivated employees and to gain competitive advantage.