Quiet quitting is an increasingly prevalent phenomenon in the workforce, particularly among younger employees. Consequently, identifying psychological determinants that may prevent or reduce quiet quitting is of growing importance for human resource management. The present study examines the role of employees’ work motivation and career well-being as predictors of quiet quitting. Work motivation is conceptualized within self-determination theory, ranging from autonomous (self-determined) to controlled (non-self-determined) forms of motivation. Career well-being is operationalized through affective career state, career networking and social support state, and career meaningfulness.
The sample consisted of 385 Bulgarian employees aged 20 to 65 years, with the majority of participants between 26 and 45 years of age. Regression analyses indicated that extrinsic motivation positively predicted detachment, lack of initiative, and lack of motivation. Identified regulation was associated with increased lack of motivation and detachment, while introjected regulation predicted detachment and lack of initiative. In contrast, intrinsic motivation showed a negative association with all dimensions of quiet quitting, including lack of motivation, lack of initiative, and detachment.
Career well-being demonstrated a more limited influence on quiet quitting. Neither detachment nor lack of initiative was significantly predicted by any component of career well-being. However, lack of motivation was influenced by career well-being, with career meaningfulness showing a negative effect, and career networking and social support showing a positive effect.
Overall, intrinsic motivation and career meaningfulness emerged as key protective factors against quiet quitting, whereas controlled forms of extrinsic motivation contributed significantly to its increase.

Authors:
Snezhana Ilieva, Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski", Bulgaria
Alexander Iliev, Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski", Bulgaria
Sonya Karabeliova, Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski", Bulgaria
Radina Stoyanova, Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski", Bulgaria

About the Presenter(s)
Snezhana Ilieva is a Full Professor of Work and Organizational Psychology in Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski". She obtained her Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD degrees from Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski.”

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