What factors contribute to the meaning of work? A validation of Morin’s Meaning of Work Questionnaire

Abstract

Background Considering the recent and current evolution of work and the work context, the meaning of work is becoming an increasingly relevant topic in research in the social sciences and humanities, particularly in psychology. In order to understand and measure what contributes to the meaning of work, Morin constructed a 30-item questionnaire that has become predominant and has repeatedly been used in research in occupational psychology and by practitioners in the field. Nevertheless, it has been validated only in part. Method Meaning of work questionnaire was conducted in French with 366 people (51.3% of women; age: (M = 39.11, SD = 11.25); 99.2% of whom were employed with the remainder retired). Three sets of statistical analyses were run on the data. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted on independent samples. Results The questionnaire described a five-factor structure. These dimensions (Success and Recognition at work and of work, α = .90; Usefulness, α = .88; Respect for work, α = .88; Value from and through work, α = .83; Remuneration, α = .85) are all attached to a general second-order latent meaning of work factor (α = .96). Conclusions Validation of the scale, and implications for health in the workplace and career counseling practices, are discussed.

Pakistani Secondary School Teachers’ perspective of Meaning of Work

“…It was also reflected in the current study where many teachers claimed that they would not continue teaching but would do some job which would be more respectable or prestigious in the society. This finding is similar to Pignault and Houssemand (2021) study, which stated remuneration as one of the significant factors behind work. Moreover, a few male participants said that it would be suitable for them and their families if they opt for some other esteemed job.…”

“…On the other hand, sociology emphasises the individual's social identity and self-worth. Whereas, Pignault and Houssemand (2021), in their research, to confirm the Morin's Scale (Morin, 2003), validate the contribution of success and recognition, the usefulness of work, respect dimension of work, the value from and through work, and remuneration as contributing factors in defining the meaning of work for people.…”

Os Sentidos do Trabalho para Trabalhadores Jovens

“…O sentido é concebido sob o aspecto econômico e sociopsicológico, fornecendo fontes de identidade e oportunidades de realização (Kubo & Gouvêa, 2012). A função econômica compreende a remuneração para atender necessidades pessoais; a social diz respeito à interação com outras pessoas e à posição ou status social que se possui; e a psicológica está relacionada à identidade e ao reconhecimento (Pignault & Houssemand, 2021).…”

“…Na década de 1980, as pesquisas do grupo MOW (1987) estiveram entre os estudos mais importantes sobre o tema e serviram de base teórica e metodológica para diversos autores (Bastos et al, 1995;Morin, 2001Morin, , 2003Morin, , 2008Morin & Cherré, 1999). Os pesquisadores do MOW coletaram dados junto a mais de 14.000 entrevistados de oito países (Brief, 1991), resultando em cinco dimensões que direcionam os estudos: centralidade do trabalho enquanto papel de vida, normas sociais, valor dos resultados alcançados, importância dos objetivos de trabalho e identificação com as tarefas (Pignault & Houssemand, 2021).…”

What kinds of work do Japanese primary care physicians who derive greater positive meaning from work engage in? A cross‐sectional study

“…The concept of MW has evolved in the career, management and psychological fields since the 1980 s 11 . Although MW has a variety of definitions, we have adopted the original definition of “the central importance of work for people” 12 . Several studies have found moderate or higher correlations between job satisfaction and MW, indicating that these concepts are closely related 13,14 .…”