The relationship between job satisfaction and life satisfaction among faculty in selected Oklahoma junior colleges.

Abstract

Questionnaires were sent to full-time faculty in the 14 state supported junior colleges in Oklahoma. Of the 300 potential subjects in the sample, 231 usable questionnaires were returned. Overall job satisfaction was measured, as was satisfaction with specific aspects of the job (work itself, pay, supervision, co-workers, and promotion). The life domain measures included overall life satisfaction and satisfaction with health, marriage, family, friends, and standard of living.

Overall, it appears that work and life spheres are positively related and that satisfaction in one area effects satisfaction in other areas. The results point up the significance of viewing faculty members in their total life space, rather than in any one specific facet of life.

The hypotheses tested and pertinent results were as follows. Hypothesis 1 predicted a positive relationship between job and life satisfaction. This hypothesis received consistent support across the entire sample and within subgroups of the sample. Hypothesis 1a predicted a stronger relationship between job and life satisfaction for women. This hypothesis was not supported. Hypothesis 1b and 1c predicted an increase in the strength of the relationship with age and education respectively; hypothesis 1b received no support, while hypothesis 1c was strongly supported. Hypothesis 1d predicted that married faculty would exhibit a stronger relationship between job and life over nonmarried faculty; this effect was not confirmed. Hypothesis 1e speculated an increase in the strength of the relationship between job and life satisfaction as a function of increasing income; this was found not to be the case. A stronger relationship between job and life satisfaction was predicted for tenured faculty (hypothesis 1f). This hypothesis was not supported, hypothesis 1g predicted an increase in the strength of the relationship for faculty in the urban areas. The opposite was found to be true; faculty teaching in rural areas showed a stronger relationship between job and life satisfaction.

The purpose of this study was to test the relationship between job satisfaction and life satisfaction among junior college faculty in Oklahoma. The prediction made was a positive correlation (spillover model of satisfaction).