Striving for the Family: Family Motivation and Harmonious Passion in Elementary and Secondary School Teachers

ABSTRACT Although research on work passion has developed rapidly over the past decade, much remains unknown in the field, particularly the drivers and mechanisms by which harmonious passion (HP) occurs. Drawing on the dualistic model of passion and self‐determination theory, this study focused on the effects of family motivation on teachers' HP as well as the roles of teacher self‐efficacy and organisational support. Thus, this study tested the research hypotheses by surveying 3541 elementary and secondary school teachers in China. The results indicate that family motivation directly and positively predicts HP, and indirectly predicts HP through teacher self‐efficacy, while organisational support moderates the effects of family motivation on HP and teacher self‐efficacy, as well as the effect of teacher self‐efficacy on HP. The study provides a foundation for the creation of scientifically based practical interventions that educational authorities and schools can implement to foster teachers' HP.