A doctoral dissertation examining how trait mindfulness relates to intrinsic motivation among cybersecurity professionals — and what it could mean for reducing burnout in the field.
Participate in This StudyAbout the Study
Cybersecurity professionals face extraordinary levels of occupational stress, contributing to widespread burnout and high turnover. This doctoral study investigates whether specific facets of trait mindfulness — our natural capacity for present-moment awareness — correlate with higher intrinsic motivation among cybersecurity workers. Understanding these relationships could inform targeted interventions to support well-being and retention in a field experiencing critical workforce shortages.
Measured through the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ-15), exploring five distinct dimensions: observing, describing, acting with awareness, nonjudging, and nonreactivity.
Assessed using the Multidimensional Work Motivation Scale (MWMS), grounded in Self-Determination Theory — the leading framework for understanding human motivation.
One of the first empirical investigations to examine these constructs specifically within the cybersecurity profession, addressing a significant gap in the research literature.
Findings could guide the development of mindfulness-based workplace interventions designed to reduce burnout and increase retention among cybersecurity professionals.
Who Can Participate
To participate in this study, you must meet all of the following criteria:
Currently employed in a dedicated cybersecurity role
Ten years or fewer of professional cybersecurity experience
Employed in a cybersecurity role located in the Eastern United States
Must be at least 18 years of age to provide informed consent
What to Expect
Participation is voluntary, confidential, and designed to respect your time.
You will receive an online informed consent form explaining the study's purpose, your rights, and how your data will be protected. Participation is entirely voluntary, and you may withdraw at any time without penalty.
The online survey includes the FFMQ-15 (trait mindfulness), the MWMS (work motivation), and a brief demographics section. The entire process takes approximately 15 minutes.
Your confidential responses will be analyzed to examine correlations between mindfulness facets and intrinsic motivation, contributing to a better understanding of cybersecurity workforce well-being.
Research Questions
Five research questions guide this investigation, each examining a distinct facet of trait mindfulness and its relationship to intrinsic motivation:
Observing — What is the relationship between self-reported observing and intrinsic motivation among cybersecurity professionals?
Describing — What is the relationship between self-reported describing and intrinsic motivation among cybersecurity professionals?
Acting with Awareness — What is the relationship between self-reported acting with awareness and intrinsic motivation among cybersecurity professionals?
Nonjudging of Inner Experience — What is the relationship between self-reported nonjudging and intrinsic motivation among cybersecurity professionals?
Nonreactivity to Inner Experience — What is the relationship between self-reported nonreactivity and intrinsic motivation among cybersecurity professionals?
Principal Investigator
PhD Candidate, Walsh College
Todd is a doctoral candidate at Walsh College conducting this dissertation research under the guidance of his sponsoring supervisor, Dr. Suzy Siegle. His research sits at the intersection of mindfulness science, motivational psychology, and cybersecurity workforce development, aiming to generate evidence-based strategies for addressing the burnout crisis facing cybersecurity professionals.
Your participation helps advance our understanding of mindfulness and motivation in the cybersecurity profession. The confidential survey takes approximately 15 minutes.
Check Eligibility