Empowering Equality: Investigating the Impact of Gender-Specific Diversity Initiatives on Women’s Psychological Factors

Despite efforts to achieve gender equality in the workforce, many Western countries still face challenges in increasing female participation in higher-level roles. Although efforts are being made to increase female participation, progress has been slow, raising the question of what more can be done to promote equal opportunities. One potential solution is implementing gender-specific diversity initiatives that support women in the workplace, addressing the psychological needs that drive motivation and engagement. This study used a cross-sectional design to examine to what extent feeling involved in gender-specific diversity initiatives impacts female employee’s psychological factors. Conducted within a large financial organization in the Netherlands, representing similar corporate environments, data were collected through questionnaires (N = 127) using the Work-related Basic Need Satisfaction scale and the Brief Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale. Results from independent t-tests revealed...Show moreDespite efforts to achieve gender equality in the workforce, many Western countries still face challenges in increasing female participation in higher-level roles. Although efforts are being made to increase female participation, progress has been slow, raising the question of what more can be done to promote equal opportunities. One potential solution is implementing gender-specific diversity initiatives that support women in the workplace, addressing the psychological needs that drive motivation and engagement. This study used a cross-sectional design to examine to what extent feeling involved in gender-specific diversity initiatives impacts female employee’s psychological factors. Conducted within a large financial organization in the Netherlands, representing similar corporate environments, data were collected through questionnaires (N = 127) using the Work-related Basic Need Satisfaction scale and the Brief Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale. Results from independent t-tests revealed that women who felt involved in these initiatives reported significantly higher levels of psychological factors compared to those who did not (hypothesis 1). Additionally, a Kruskal-Wallis test showed that while the number of initiatives participated in was significantly associated with perceived competence, there was no similar effect on autonomy, relatedness, or self-esteem (hypothesis 2). These findings highlight the critical role of gender-specific diversity initiatives in fostering a supportive and inclusive workplace. The study suggests that such initiatives not only enhance psychological well-being but also potentially contribute to greater job satisfaction, motivation, and employee retention. This research provides insights relevant to large organizations aiming to promote gender equality and improve overall organizational performance.Show less

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Empowering Equality: Investigating the Impact of Gender-Specific Diversity Initiatives on Women’s Psychological Factors