YEA Data Points

Youth Employability Programmes Enhance Self-Determination 

Self-determination is an important concept that refers to each person’s ability to make choices and manage their own life. This ability plays a key role in psychological health and well-being. Self-determination allows people to feel that they have control over their choices and lives. It also has an impact on motivation—people feel more motivated to act when they feel that what they do will influence the outcome. 

A survey conducted by YEA found evidence to suggest that youth employability programmes in Aotearoa facilitate youths’ motivation and engagement, congruent with the Self Determination Theory (SDT). This theory suggests that people can become self-determined when their needs for competence, connection or relatedness, and autonomy are fulfilled.  

Youth employability programmes fulfill participants’ basic needs for autonomy, perceived competence, and relatedness, facilitate motivation, and ultimately self-determination (Deci et al., 2001; Deci & Ryan, 2008; Deci & Ryan, 2012).  

References 

 Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (1985). The general causality orientations scale: Self-determination in personality. Journal of research in personality, 19(2), 109-134.  

Deci, E. L., Koestner, R., & Ryan, R. M. (2001). Extrinsic rewards and intrinsic motivation in education: Reconsidered once again. Review of educational research, 71(1), 1-27.  

Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2008). Self-determination theory: A macrotheory of human motivation, development, and health. Canadian psychology/Psychologie canadienne, 49(3), 182.  

Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2012). Motivation, personality, and development within embedded social contexts: An overview of self-determination theory.