Date

8-29-2025

Department

School of Behavioral Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)

Chair

Cynthia Evans

Keywords

onboarding, sense of belonging, metaverse, virtual onboarding, purpose

Disciplines

Psychology

Abstract

Extensive research has examined the link between onboarding and employees’ sense of belonging, yet no known studies have explored whether the type of onboarding—delivered in-person, remotely, or through virtual platforms—affects this relationship. This quantitative, correlational study investigated how onboarding quality relates to employees’ sense of belonging, whether purpose in life mediates this relationship, and whether onboarding type moderates it. A sample of full-time employees (N = 112), onboarded within the past 12 months, completed validated measures assessing onboarding quality, purpose in life, and sense of belonging. Results showed a significant positive correlation between onboarding quality and sense of belonging. Purpose in life was found to mediate this relationship. However, the type of onboarding did not moderate the relationship between onboarding quality and belonging. These findings suggest that the quality of onboarding matters more than the format through which it is delivered. Implications for organizational practice and future research are discussed.

Download

Included in

Psychology Commons

Share

COinS