Reflections of self-concept clarity at work: the mediating role of psychological empowerment on the relationship between self-concept clarity and intrinsic motivation

Abstract Background We examined the relationships between self-concept clarity, a relatively new addition to the organizational behavior literature, and the well-established constructs of psychological empowerment and intrinsic motivation. We also aim to examine if psychological empowerment mediates...

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Main Authors: Meryem Özcan, Hülya Gündüz Çekmecelioğlu, Gönül Konakay
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-05-01
Series:BMC Psychology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02800-2
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author Meryem Özcan
Hülya Gündüz Çekmecelioğlu
Gönül Konakay
author_facet Meryem Özcan
Hülya Gündüz Çekmecelioğlu
Gönül Konakay
author_sort Meryem Özcan
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background We examined the relationships between self-concept clarity, a relatively new addition to the organizational behavior literature, and the well-established constructs of psychological empowerment and intrinsic motivation. We also aim to examine if psychological empowerment mediates the relationship between self-concept clarity and intrinsic motivation. By integrating self-determination theory and conservation of resources theory, the study offers a novel perspective on how internal psychological resources shape work-related motivation. Methods We implemented A cross-sectional study design to test the hypothesis. We collected data from 345 full-time employees across various sectors in the Marmara region, in Türkiye. Results The findings reveal that self-concept clarity, as a personality trait, is associated with employees’ sense of meaning, competence, autonomy, and impact in the workplace, enabling them to feel psychologically empowered. Furthermore, self-concept clarity is positively related to intrinsic motivation. The results also demonstrate that psychological empowerment plays a significant mediating role in the relationship between self-concept clarity and intrinsic motivation. Conclusions This study serves as a foundation for the examination of self-concept clarity in the organizational behavior literature, particularly in relation to employee motivation.
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issn 2050-7283
language English
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publisher BMC
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spelling doaj-art-62a3e18a4dee4836ac103aed9539015f2025-08-20T01:49:39ZengBMCBMC Psychology2050-72832025-05-0113111210.1186/s40359-025-02800-2Reflections of self-concept clarity at work: the mediating role of psychological empowerment on the relationship between self-concept clarity and intrinsic motivationMeryem Özcan0Hülya Gündüz Çekmecelioğlu1Gönül Konakay2İstanbul Bilgi UniversityKocaeli UniversityKocaeli UniversityAbstract Background We examined the relationships between self-concept clarity, a relatively new addition to the organizational behavior literature, and the well-established constructs of psychological empowerment and intrinsic motivation. We also aim to examine if psychological empowerment mediates the relationship between self-concept clarity and intrinsic motivation. By integrating self-determination theory and conservation of resources theory, the study offers a novel perspective on how internal psychological resources shape work-related motivation. Methods We implemented A cross-sectional study design to test the hypothesis. We collected data from 345 full-time employees across various sectors in the Marmara region, in Türkiye. Results The findings reveal that self-concept clarity, as a personality trait, is associated with employees’ sense of meaning, competence, autonomy, and impact in the workplace, enabling them to feel psychologically empowered. Furthermore, self-concept clarity is positively related to intrinsic motivation. The results also demonstrate that psychological empowerment plays a significant mediating role in the relationship between self-concept clarity and intrinsic motivation. Conclusions This study serves as a foundation for the examination of self-concept clarity in the organizational behavior literature, particularly in relation to employee motivation.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02800-2Self-Concept ClarityIntrinsic MotivationPsychological EmpowermentSelf-Determination Theory
spellingShingle Meryem Özcan
Hülya Gündüz Çekmecelioğlu
Gönül Konakay
Reflections of self-concept clarity at work: the mediating role of psychological empowerment on the relationship between self-concept clarity and intrinsic motivation
BMC Psychology
Self-Concept Clarity
Intrinsic Motivation
Psychological Empowerment
Self-Determination Theory
title Reflections of self-concept clarity at work: the mediating role of psychological empowerment on the relationship between self-concept clarity and intrinsic motivation
title_full Reflections of self-concept clarity at work: the mediating role of psychological empowerment on the relationship between self-concept clarity and intrinsic motivation
title_fullStr Reflections of self-concept clarity at work: the mediating role of psychological empowerment on the relationship between self-concept clarity and intrinsic motivation
title_full_unstemmed Reflections of self-concept clarity at work: the mediating role of psychological empowerment on the relationship between self-concept clarity and intrinsic motivation
title_short Reflections of self-concept clarity at work: the mediating role of psychological empowerment on the relationship between self-concept clarity and intrinsic motivation
title_sort reflections of self concept clarity at work the mediating role of psychological empowerment on the relationship between self concept clarity and intrinsic motivation
topic Self-Concept Clarity
Intrinsic Motivation
Psychological Empowerment
Self-Determination Theory
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02800-2
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AT hulyagunduzcekmecelioglu reflectionsofselfconceptclarityatworkthemediatingroleofpsychologicalempowermentontherelationshipbetweenselfconceptclarityandintrinsicmotivation
AT gonulkonakay reflectionsofselfconceptclarityatworkthemediatingroleofpsychologicalempowermentontherelationshipbetweenselfconceptclarityandintrinsicmotivation