VALIDATION OF THE TURKISH VERSION OF WORK-RELATED FLOW INVENTORY (WOLF) AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH BURNOUT AND JOB SATISFACTION

Abstract

The current paper was conducted for two aims. The first aim was to adapt the Work-Related Flow Inventory (WOLF) developed by Bakker (2008) into Turkish. In this context, the inventory was applied 198 (128 females 64.6% and 70 males 35.4%) teachers working in public schools in Ankara for construct validity and reliability. WOLF, consisting of 13 items and three sub-dimensions, was found to be a valid and reliable tool for measuring teachers' work-related flow. The second aim was to examine the relationships between work related flow, burnout, and job satisfaction through the structural equation model. The data were collected from 274 teachers (155 females 56.6% and 114 males 41.6%) working in public schools in Ankara. The relationships between the variables were examined with the hybrid model. A negative and statistically significant relationship was found between flow and emotional exhaustion; a positive and statistically significant relationship was found among flow, personal accomplishment, and intrinsic satisfaction variables. However, no statistically significant relationship was found between work related flow and depersonalization as well as extrinsic satisfaction variables. The fit index values of the model examining the relationships among the variables were in the range of good fit values accepted in the literature. Findings were discussed within the relevant literature and culture, and suggestions were provided for future researchers and educators. Also, recommendations were listed for future studies with an emphasis on the need for research in Turkey.