Job satisfaction and the psychosocial work environment: Does the relationship vary by hospital patient care workers’ age?

Abstract

Increasing job satisfaction of healthcare workers is important for workers themselves, their employers, and their patients. This study draws on a sample of 1,409 patient care workers across two hospitals in the United States to explore the moderating effect of age in associations between job satisfaction and individual-workplace psychosocial exposures. Psychosocial work factors analyzed include job flexibility, job demands, decision latitude, break practices, and meal breaks. Contrary to mainstream management discourse, our findings suggest that most situational determinants of job satisfaction may not vary significantly by age. Findings can be used to inform occupational social work practice and future directions for managing employee behavioral health.