International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education (IJERE)
Vol 15, No 5: October 2026

Need-supportive instructional leadership, basic psychological needs and teacher professional development in higher education: a multilevel study from Kazakhstan

Anara Zhakisheva (Toraighyrov University)
Murshida Nurgaliyeva (Toraighyrov University)
Bakhyt Galiyeva (L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University)
Maiya Kayumova (Toraighyrov University)
Samal Antikeyeva (Toraighyrov University)



Article Info

Publish Date
01 Oct 2026

Abstract

Quality of teaching in higher education depends on faculty development and well-being. Drawing on self-determination theory (SDT), this study examined how academic managers’ instructional leadership, operationalized as a management-cycle quality (MCQ) index, relates to faculty outcomes via basic psychological need satisfaction, with organizational culture as context. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Toraighyrov University with 100 staff across 18 departments (50% female; M_age=39.8). Measures included MCQ coding, basic psychological need satisfaction and frustration scale (BPNSFS), Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9), Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI), Teachers’ Sense of Efficacy Scale (TSES-12), and trait emotional intelligence (EI). Analyses involved reliability (ω≈.78–.92), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), inter-rater intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) (.76–.84), multilevel regression, and bootstrap mediation. Need satisfaction predicted higher engagement (β=.44) and lower burnout (β=−.22), while need frustration predicted higher burnout (β=.39). MCQ independently related to engagement (β=.21) and burnout (β=−.18). Teacher self-efficacy was associated with need satisfaction (β=.31) and trait EI (β=.24). Models explained substantial variance (R² up to .41). Mediation analyses showed that need satisfaction partially mediated MCQ effects on engagement, burnout, and self-efficacy. Findings indicate that need-supportive managerial behavior is a practical lever for improving motivation and well-being, with organizational culture shaping implementation. Limitations include cross-sectional design and modest sample size.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

IJERE

Publisher

Subject

Education

Description

The International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education (IJERE) is an interdisciplinary publication of original research and writing on education which publishes papers to international audiences of educational researchers. The IJERE aims to provide a forum for scholarly understanding of ...