Publication year
2004
Citation Title
Predictors of job satisfaction among active duty and reserve/guard personnel in the U.S. military.
Journal Name
Military Psychology
Journal Volume
16
Issue Number
1
Page Numbers
19-35
DOI
10.1207/s15327876mp1601_2
Summary
Job satisfaction among Service members is determined by various factors. This study explored the associations among job pressure, demographic factors (e.g., age), and health status with job satisfaction of Active Duty and Reservists Service members.
Key Findings
Current health status was a significant predictor of job satisfaction for Active Duty Service members, while lifetime medical conditions was a significant predictor of job satisfaction for Reservists.
For all Service members, the strongest predictors of job satisfaction were job pressure and the belief that their biggest problems in their lives were the result of job-related issues.
Service members who were younger, enlisted, and unmarried had lower job satisfaction than Service members who were not in those groups.
Implications for Program Leaders
Develop workshops for military families that educate them about factors related to job satisfaction for Service members
Offer peer support groups to help military couples learn stress-reduction techniques to help manage jobrelated stressors
Host events that encourage family bonding (e.g., outdoor activities) to strengthen family cohesion and resilience among military families
Implications for Policy Makers
Support outreach efforts to engage military families who have Service members that may be at greater risk (e.g., younger, enlisted, unmarried) of low job satisfaction
Encourage training for professionals who work with military families about warning signs for low job satisfaction
Develop procedures on best practices related to how to address the needs of Service members who report low job satisfaction
Methods
Participant data (n = 24,881) were gathered from two military databases from two related studies: the Total Force Health Assessment and the Perceptions of Wellness and Readiness.
The Perceptions of Wellness and Readiness questionnaire was administered in group sessions and via mail The Total Force Health Assessment was administered via mail.
Participants completed measures that assessed job satisfaction, life satisfaction, physical and mental health, and occurrences of positive and negative life events in the past year.
Participants
Participants were Active Duty and Reservists Service members who represented all branches.
Most participants were male (85%), White (69%), married (59%), and enlisted pay grade (85%).
The largest age subgroup of Active Duty participants was between 26-34 years old (35%), while among Reservists, most participants were over 35 years old (50%).
Limitations
The measures assessed limited dimensions of job satisfaction, so it is unclear which aspects of military service or job tasks lead to higher (or lower) levels of job satisfaction.
There were no data on how participants were recruited, so it is unknown how participants were informed about and became involved in the study.
The data that were collected are cross-sectional, which means no definitive conclusions can be made about job satisfaction and the various factors (e.g., job pressure, Active Duty status) examined in this study.
Avenues for Future Research
Explore additional factors that relate to Service members who experience high job satisfaction
Gather data from military families of Service members who have high and low job satisfaction to study the potential influential role of their families on job satisfaction
Conduct longitudinal to determine trends and patterns of job satisfaction among Service members over extended periods of time
Focus
Multiple Branches
Target Population
Population Focus
Military Branch
Military Component
Abstract
In this study, we examined psychological, demographic, and physical predictors of job satisfaction among military personnel across the Armed Forces. Data were collected from 24,881 members of the Active Duty and Reserve/Guard components. Overall, military job satisfaction was higher among Reserve/Guard personnel than among those on Active Duty. Separate regression models for the 2 components revealed generally similar predictors of job satisfaction. The 2 strongest predictors were the perception of a relatively high level of job pressure experienced by military personnel and the belief that the biggest problem in one's life was the result of job-related issues (such as a supervisor) rather than nonjob issues (such as health or family). Findings suggest areas in which the military can intervene to increase the satisfaction of personnel and presumably their likelihood of remaining in the military. Because considerable job pressure may be inherent in the nature of the military mission, attention should be given to ensuring that personnel learn and use effective coping skills to manage stressors.
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