Self-Determination Theory posits that individuals with an autonomous motivation orientation exhibit enhanced self-efficacy and psychological well-being. To investigate this theory, we conducted a field experiment, assessing the impact of organizing a social-service programme on 26 secondary school students in Hong Kong. The experiment was designed to promote autonomous motivation by granting students complete autonomy in organizing a social-service initiative.

We employed a within-participants design, with each student experiencing both experimental (organizing social-service programme) and control conditions (participating in standard school-based non-academic activities). The order of these two conditions was counterbalanced between participants.

In the experimental condition, we first conducted a training workshop to equip students with necessary skills to organize social-service programmes. Thereafter, students were responsible for designing social-service activities, liaising with non-government organizations, addressing issues as they arose, and implementing and evaluating the programme.

Before and after organizing a social-service programme/participating in control activities, students completed validated questionnaires assessing their personal-social-development self-efficacy, psychological well-being, autonomous motivation orientation, and negative emotional symptoms (stress, anxiety, and depression). Furthermore, we conducted a focus-group interview at the study’s conclusion to gain insights into students’ experiences.

Results showed that after organizing a social-service programme, there was a trend towards improved personal-social-development self-efficacy, psychological well-being, and autonomous motivation, accompanied by a reduction in negative emotional symptoms. We concluded, based on questionnaire and interview data, that autonomous motivation orientation plays a pivotal role in enhancing students’ personal-social-development self-efficacy and psychological well-being through organizing a social-service programme. This study provides preliminary field-experimental support for the Self-Determination Theory.

Authors:
Chi-Shing Tse, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Felix Lai-Lam Cheng, The Church of Christ in China Kei Yuen College, Hong Kong

About the Presenter(s)
Professor Chi-Shing Tse is a University Professor/Principle Lecturer at The Chinese University of Hong Kong in Hong Kong

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