The job satisfaction - significant other satisfaction relationship.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between job satisfaction and significant other satisfaction. Age and gender were also investigated as possible moderating variables. Participants were from the Midwest, employed outside the home, and living with their significant other. Eighty-two individuals participated in the study, 38 males and 44 females. Ages ranged from 21 to 60 years old. Fifty-three participants were married, and 29 participants were legally single, but cohabitating. Participants were obtained from a diverse group of businesses. Two instruments were used to collect data on job satisfaction and significant other satisfaction. The Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ) was the survey used to assess one's job satisfaction. The Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS) was the survey used to assess one's significant other satisfaction. An Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) assessed the effects of sex on DAS, and sex on MSQ. No significant difference was found between men and women on the DAS (F (1, 80) = 3.52 , p > .05). There was also no significant difference found between men and women on the MSQ (F (1, 80) = 3,21, p>.05). However, results were approaching significance and in the predicted direction. A Pearson Product Correlation Coefficient was calculated for the following: 1) DAS against MSQ (r=.044); 2) Age against the DAS score (r=-.070); and 3) Age against the MSQ score (r=.125). None of the above were found to be significant. Future directions in research include a breakdown by occupation, a less threatening environment for collecting data, and a more controlled data collection setting.