The Moderating Effect of Affirmative Bias on the Relationship between Mindfulness, Decision-Making, and Job Satisfaction among Graduate Student Teachers

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Counseling Psychology, Faculty of Graduate Studies for Education, Cairo University.

Abstract

The current research aimed to investigate the moderating role of affirmative bias as a variable in the relationship between mindfulness as an independent variable and decision-making and job satisfaction as dependent variables. Additionally, the study aimed to explore the differences in affirmative bias related to certain demographic variables (gender, age, academic degree, years of experience, marital status) among graduate student teachers. The research employed a descriptive correlational and comparative methodology. The primary sample consisted of 185 graduate student teachers in programs such as diploma, master's, and doctoral programs. The participants had an average age of 39.67 years, with a standard deviation of 11.29. Several instruments were used, including the Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) developed by Baer et al., the Affirmative Bias Scale, the Job Satisfaction Scale, and the Decision-Making Scale prepared by the researchers. The research findings revealed the moderating effect of affirmative bias on the relationship between mindfulness and job satisfaction, as well as the moderating role of affirmative bias on the relationship between mindfulness and decision-making among graduate student teachers. It was also observed that job satisfaction and decision-making could be predicted through affirmative bias. Furthermore, the results indicated differences in affirmative bias between males and females, with females demonstrating a higher level of affirmative bias. Differences based on academic degrees were found in favor of those with lower academic degrees. Likewise, differences based on years of teaching experience favored those with fewer years of experience. However, no significant differences in affirmative bias were found based on age or marital status. These findings may have a significant impact on future decision-makers' policies and provide support for the value of interventions based on mindfulness and reducing affirmative bias in the workplace environment.

Keywords


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