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Affective and Normative Commitment: A Study on Young Doctors Cover

Affective and Normative Commitment: A Study on Young Doctors

Open Access
|Mar 2026

Abstract

Introduction: Social and economic transformations impact the bond between professionals and organizations, particularly in healthcare institutions. This phenomenon necessitates the adaptation of human resource management policies to minimize such impacts. Organizational commitment emerges as a central variable in this discussion, reflecting the psychological connection between employees and their institutions. This study investigates the affective and normative commitment of young doctors, considering factors such as perceived procedural justice, autonomy, and relationships within the group.

Materials and Methods: A descriptive quantitative study was conducted with 24 doctors aged 30 years or younger. Data were collected through a validated questionnaire that assessed organizational commitment, perceived procedural justice, autonomy, and group relationships, using a 5-point Likert scale. Analyses were performed using SPSS, with descriptive statistics and Spearman correlation.

Results: Results indicate an average affective commitment of 3.88, while normative commitment was 2.98. A moderate positive correlation was found between affective commitment and group relationships (0.365), though weak correlations were observed with procedural justice and autonomy. Female doctors reported lower values compared to male doctors, particularly in normative commitment.

Discussion: Data suggest that while affective commitment is positive, normative commitment levels are below the desired threshold. This highlights the urgent need for organizational strategies to improve perceptions of justice and interpersonal relationships, which are crucial for enhancing organizational effectiveness.

Conclusion: The study emphasizes the importance of organizational commitment for effectiveness in healthcare settings. It is recommended that managers implement policies that promote fair relationships and strengthen emotional ties with the organization, as this may enhance the quality of care and productivity. Although limited by the sample size, this research contributes to reflections on the role of organizations in managing employee commitment.

Keywords: Organizational Commitment; Job Satisfaction; Justice, Procedural; Professional Autonomy; Health Personnel

 

Language: English
Published on: Mar 24, 2026
Published by: Ubiquity Press
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Publication frequency: 4 issues per year

© 2026 Valter Alcides Henriques Santos, Manuela Frederico, published by Ubiquity Press
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.