Journal of IOA: Self-Determination Theory for Ombuds Work

Julie A. Muroff, CO-OP, has published a second article in the Journal of the International Ombuds Association. The Ombuds Director at Janelia Research Campus/Howard Hughes Medical Institute offers further guidance for Ombuds seeking to implement aspects of positive psychology into their work with visitors. The full article, "From Conflict to Connection: Continuing to Explore the What, Why, and How of Positive Psychology for Ombuds" is available online.

Here is the abstract of the article:

Following The What, Why, And How Of Positive Psychology (Muroff, 2024), this paper discusses another application of positive psychology to the work of organizational ombuds. Consistent with the prior paper, the purpose is to acknowledge and facilitate the work of ombuds beyond the exclusive focus on conflict resolution, to advance the wellbeing of ombuds and our visitors, organizations, and field. Specifically, this paper proposes a novel framework for ombuds casework based on self-determination theory. By using the framework, ombuds can help visitors satisfy their core needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness by strengthening connections to themselves, their organizations, and their colleagues. The framework is named SeE Others, as a mnemonic for those connections to self, environment, and others. The framework matches each of the three self-determination needs with two options for positive psychology interventions.

(JIOA 2024.)

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