Being Value-Able: an Exploration of the Benefits of Conscious Connection to Values

Abstract

Values have interested psychologists for decades. Research has shown impacts of shared values within organisations or teams, outcomes of mismatched values between employees and employers, and values contributing to well-being. Little is known, however, at the intraindividual level. What does consciously connected to values mean to individuals? What benefits, if any, do those individuals attribute to their values connection? Through a sequential mixed methods exploratory approach, this research sought to understand whether the experience of individuals connecting to their personal values could be described. Psychology acknowledges that values are one aspect of being human. Values are usually unconscious: yet some individuals appear able to deliberately draw upon their values, while others do not. Raising the question what is conscious connection to values? Study One investigated whether a purposive sample of working age adults found having a values profile useful, how they described feeling connected to their values and the effects of that connection. Study One had two qualitative elements: an online survey (N=108) and interviews (N=19). Using Reflexive Thematic Analysis a user-identified conceptual framework of Values Connection was developed comprised of: Know, Hold, and Live. Benefits attributed to connection were described as: Self-assurance, Sense Making and Way Finding. Utilities of connection were identified as: Relating, Deciding, Aligning and Self-regulating; and a theme of using values in ‘tough times’ emerged. Studies Two, Three and Four tested the conceptual framework quantitatively. Items were developed from Study One and used alongside two established well-being items. A disciplined approach was taken to replication of the quantitative survey in order enable confidence in findings. Study Two was undertaken in Autumn 2020, a ‘tough time’. The conceptual framework showed acceptable reliability and validity with significant positive links to well-being in a convenience/snowball population (n=552). Replication was planned for 2021 which was expected to be less tough. As the third wave of Covid hit, Autumn 2021 was just as tough. A second convenience/snowball population (n= 505) completed the same survey and results of tests of difference enabled the populations to be combined for analysis (N=1057). Items remained reliable and valid with significant relationships to well-being. By Autumn 2022 the pandemic had eased. Study Three revisited a sample of earlier participants (n=160) to investigate whether the conceptual framework functioned differently as a version of ‘normal’ returned to daily life: it remained reliable and valid. Through an online survey platform (Prolific), Study Four tested the conceptual framework with a separate population (n=273) to those who had contributed to its development. All elements of the framework continued to behave similarly and tests of difference showed all populations could be combined to create a final data set (N=1488). Findings showed that Values Connection could be generalised as being comprised of Know, Hold and Live, with all three components being significant in relationships with the benefits of Self-assurance, Sense Making and Way Finding. Strength of Values Connection described up to 69% of the variance in benefits reported. Both Values Connection and the benefits supported higher well-being, showing some variation in contributions to Life Satisfaction and experience of things in life as Worthwhile. Implication of the findings for application in working life are presented together with suggestions for future research. There is a pragmatic note of caution for organisations and practitioners about the risks that may be associated with not taking work on values seriously or failing to complete publicised values programmes. Finally, there is a note of hope that Values Connection may provide a currently underutilised route to support well-being at work, and that individuals being able to consciously harness their values can contribute to a sense of a life worth living.