Düßler, Lenno (2025) Appreciation at Work: A Multidimensional Concept and its Role in Shaping Self-Esteem. Master thesis, Psychology.
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Abstract
Appreciation at work is a powerful psychological resource, yet existing research often limits its scope to interpersonal recognition from supervisors or colleagues. This thesis examines appreciation as a multidimensional construct and investigates its role in shaping self-esteem, a core indicator of psychological well-being. Using a mixed-methods approach, a qualitative pilot study (N = 10) first explored employees’ perceptions of workplace appreciation. Beyond the commonly studied sources, participants consistently emphasized financial recognition as a critical and distinct form of appreciation. Additionally, results indicated that financial recognition might influence how appreciation is perceived by employees. These insights informed the development of a refined appreciation scale tested in a quantitative study (N = 202). Exploratory factor analysis supported a four-factor structure: appreciation by supervisors, colleagues, society, and financial recognition. Regression analyses showed that general workplace appreciation, consisting of appreciation by supervisors and colleagues, positively predicted self-esteem. Although financial recognition did not moderate this relationship significantly, results from the interviews and the statistical pattern suggested that low financial recognition might weaken the effect of interpersonal appreciation. Societal appreciation, while conceptually relevant, did not uniquely predict self-esteem. Findings highlight the multidimensionality of appreciation and that self-esteem is a socially responsive construct tied to daily workplace interactions.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Kuppens, T. |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | Work, Organizational and Personnel Psychology (WOP) [Master Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 04 Jul 2025 10:31 |
| Last Modified: | 04 Jul 2025 10:31 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/5273 |
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