Exploring the relationship between meaningful work and subjective well-being among language teachers - a mixed method study

Q: What research question does the study address?

The study explores the relationship between meaning in work and subjective well-being among Iranian EFL language teachers.

Q: How were quantitative and qualitative data collected and analyzed?

Quantitative data were collected from 65 teachers using WAMI and the Subjective Well-being Scale and analyzed with linear regression. Qualitative insights came from in-depth interviews with 12 teachers and were analyzed through thematic analysis.

Q: What did the findings reveal about meaning in work and teacher well-being?

Regression analysis found a significant positive relationship between meaning in work and subjective well-being. The thematic analysis produced four key themes: personal fulfillment and job satisfaction, professional growth and self-realization, sense of purpose and contribution to society, and connection and relationships.

Oct 15, 2026

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The concept of meaningful work has gained significant attention in organizational psychology, particularly because teaching often involves high emotional investment and personal engagement. This mixed-method study examines how meaning in work relates to subjective well-being among Iranian EFL teachers. Using data from 65 teachers via the Work and Meaning Inventory (WAMI) and the Subjective Well-being Scale, regression tests the relationship, while interviews with 12 teachers support thematic analysis. Results show a significant positive association and four themes shaping well-being: fulfillment, growth, purpose, and connection.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages24

Reading Time1 h 0 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Keywords

Introduction

Literature Review

Meaning at Work

Australian Journal of Applied Linguistics ISSN 2209-0959 [https://www.castledown.com/journals/ajal/](https://www.castledown.com/journals/ajal/) Australian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 8 (1), 2289 (2025) [https://doi.org/10.29140/ajal.v8n1.2289](https://doi.org/10.29140/ajal.v8n1.2289) Exploring the relationship between meaningful work and subjective well-being among language teachers: a mixed method study BEHRUZ LOTFI GASKAREE ISMAIL XODABANDE MOHAMMAD ZOHRABI NASTARAN BEHSHAD a University of Zabol, Zabol, Sistan and Balouchestan, Iran b Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran cYork University, Toronto, Canada dMinistry of Education, Tabriz, East Azerbaijan, Iran Abstract The concept of meaningful work has gained significant attention in organizational psychology. As teaching is a profession often associated with high levels of emotional investment and personal engagement, understanding how the perception of meaning in work influences teachers’ well-being is crucial. This study aimed to explore the relationship between meaning in work and subjective well-being among Iranian English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers. It sought to quantify this relationship through regression analysis and further elucidate it through thematic analysis of qualitative interview data. The study involved 65 EFL teachers, with data collected via the Work and Meaning Inventory (WAMI) and the Subjective Well-being Scale. Linear regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between meaning in work and subjective well-being. Additionally, in-depth interviews with 12 teachers provided qualitative insights, analyzed through thematic analysis to identify emergent themes relating to meaning in work and its impact on well-being. Regression analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between meaning in work and subjective well-being (R² = .394, p < .001) . The thematic analysis of interview data yielded four main themes: personal fulfillment and job satisfaction, professional growth and self-realization, sense of purpose Copyright © 2025 Ismail Xodabande and contribution to society, and connection and relationships. These themes underscored the multifaceted ways in which a sense of meaning in work contributes to language teachers’well-being. The study highlights the profound impact of meaning in work on EFL teachers’subjective well-being. The findings emphasize the importance of fostering meaningful work environments in educational settings to enhance teacher well-being, with implications for teacher retention, job satisfaction, and overall school climate. Keywords: Meaningful work; teacher well-being; EFL teachers; subjective well-being; teacher psychology; positive psychology Introduction The pursuit of well-being in the workplace, particularly within educational settings, has increasingly become a focal point of scholarly discourse (Carolan et al., 2017; Harter et al., 2003; Nielsen et al., 2017; Sojo et al., 2015; Sulis, Mercer, et al., 2023) . Central to this discussion is the concept of meaningful work, a construct that holds profound implications for well-being (Misha & van Dijke, 2023; Rosso et al., 2010) . Research in organizational psychology posits that when individuals find meaning in their work, it correlates positively with higher levels of job satisfaction, engagement, and overall well-being (Borst et al., 2019; Charles-Leija et al., 2023; Corbeanu & Iliescu, 2023; X. Lu et al., 2022; Sypniewska et al., 2023) . In line with these developments, research on language teachers’well-being is gaining momentum (Chamaniet al., 2023; Gregersen et al., 2020; Hofstadler et al., 2021; MacIntyre et al., 2019; Mercer, 2020; Shin et al., 2021) . However, the dynamics of meaning and its impact on subjective well-being among language teachers remains an underexplored area. This gap is noteworthy, considering the stressors, challenges, and rewards inherent in language teaching, which range from cultural con

FAQs

What research question does the study address?

The study explores the relationship between meaning in work and subjective well-being among Iranian EFL language teachers.

How were quantitative and qualitative data collected and analyzed?

Quantitative data were collected from 65 teachers using WAMI and the Subjective Well-being Scale and analyzed with linear regression. Qualitative insights came from in-depth interviews with 12 teachers and were analyzed through thematic analysis.

What did the findings reveal about meaning in work and teacher well-being?

Regression analysis found a significant positive relationship between meaning in work and subjective well-being. The thematic analysis produced four key themes: personal fulfillment and job satisfaction, professional growth and self-realization, sense of purpose and contribution to society, and connection and relationships.

Oct 15, 2026

Upload by Kurz