A STUDY OF DIFFERENTIAL PATTERNS OF LIFE AND JOB SATISFACTION

Efforts began only recently to relate job satisfaction to the larger life context, and, as yet, little has been done in the way of detailed empirical research. There are three major hypotheses about the relationship between work and nonwork: generalization, compensation, and segmentation. However, none of these has received unequivocal support. Research in this area has been plagued by: (a) use of cross-sectional studies which do not allow for causal inference; (b) disregard for temporal changes; and (c) few investigations of subgroup differences. The present study sought to determine whether individuals possessed differing patterns of life and job satisfaction, what background and situational variables are associated with these patterns, and whether these patterns are consistent over time.

The sample consisted of 400 males and 403 females who graduated from the University of Georgia in 1972 or 1974 and who completed questionnaires regarding their backgrounds and their activities during their freshman year and at two points in time following college graduation. Twenty items measuring life and job satisfaction were factored at two points in time: Three years out of college and six or eight years out of college. Subjects were then subgrouped at both points in time on their factor profiles using a hierarchical cluster analysis. Discriminant analyses were used to differentiate the subgroups on available background and situational variables. Chi square analyses and a phi coefficient established across time consistency for the subgroups. Analyses were conducted separately by sex.

Results indicated that varying patterns of life and job satisfaction exist, and these patterns can be captured in clusters of individuals. In addition, these clusters exhibit across time consistency. However, within subgroup patterns of life and job satisfaction vary across time. Variables associated with differential patterns and change include Warmth of Paternal Relationship, Semi-Skilled Labor, and Job Appropriateness for males, and Warmth of Maternal Relationship, SES, Asocial Job Activities and Job Appropriateness for females. Implications for theory and practice were discussed.