SOCIAL WORKERS’ ACHIEVEMENT MOTIVATION IN THE CONTEXT OF SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS

Abstract

The primary research objective was to diagnose the level of the achievement motivation in the context of such variables as: age, place of origin and residence, marital status, seniority and education. The survey of a group of 103 social workers was based on Maria Widerszal-Bazyl questionnaire designed to measure the achievement motivation. The statistical analysis has allowed to draw the following conclusions. There are differences in the levels of achievement motivation between respondents with secondary and higher education. The differences have also been seen in the level of achievement motivation, although only in terms of certain indicators, between people in a relationship and singles, not only older and younger but also those with shorter and longer periods of employment at their current workplaces. People over 35 years of age were more persistent in their actions and more motivated in planning the future than the younger ones. Employees with the least seniority also perceived the value of time better and were characterized by a lower level of conformism than those employed for more than 15 years. In turn, those in a relationship had a higher level of aspirations, better planned the future (taking into account the time perspective) and appreciated the value of time more than employees without life partners. The results of the research can be used both for the selection of social workers and as a guidance in development of their psychological potential e.g. in the course of supervision.