An Investigation of the Relationship between Job and Life Satisfaction among Teachers

Abstract

Job satisfaction is a multi-dimensional concept. Job satisfaction includes such external factors as qualifications of the job, organization and government, salary, working conditions, workmates, professional development and supervision, cooperation mates; and such internal factors as individuals’ expectations of the work and their requests. Job satisfaction helps develop a positive attitude toward the job. As in many other jobs, a teacher should gain saturation from his/her job in order to be successful in his/her career. Life satisfaction includes all dimensions of an individual's entire life. A high level of individual job satisfaction positively affects both job performance and life satisfaction. This study examined the relationship between job- and life- satisfaction among teachers. The study included 406 teachers employed at private and public preschool (n = 32), primary (n = 247) and secondary (n = 127) schools. Data were collected via a questionnaire on demographic characteristics, Minnesota Job Satisfaction Scale and Life Satisfaction Scale. The average job-satisfaction score was 71.58 (on a scale of 100). On this basis, it can be concluded that the level of job satisfaction among teachers was “good” but not exceptional. The average life-satisfaction score was calculated as 15.32 (scale maximum 25), which was evaluated as being above the moderate level. A significant correlation was found between life satisfaction and job satisfaction at the level of 0.001 (r = 0.281). Job satisfaction of public teachers and preschool teachers, and life satisfaction of female teachers was found to be more high.