Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
887039 Journal of Vocational Behavior 2013 10 Pages PDF
Abstract

This study examines the content of developmental networks from the perspective of self-determination theory. We qualitatively examine 18 protégés' constellations of developmental relationships to identify specific types of developmental support functions. Our study shows that the adoption of self-determination theory leads to a theory-based classification of support functions. The results show the manner in which developmental relationships meet protégés' needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Protégés identified the importance of their developer's need-supportive functions to their success, including creating freedom, encouraging self-initiation (autonomy), emulating effective behaviors, confirming and praising (competence), and intimacy and self-disclosure (relatedness). Implications of the findings and suggestions for future research are presented.

► We describe a qualitative inquiry of developmental networks. ► We examine developmental support functions applying Self-Determination Theory. ► Developers fulfill protégés' needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness. ► We present a self-determination framework of developmental support functions.

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