Job satisfaction in substance abuse treatment organisations: empirical evidence from KETHEA in Greece

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to provide inference on the level of job satisfaction of substance abuse treatment organisation's personnel, and the relevance of 'global job satisfaction' with motivation and hygiene factors as defined in Herzberg's motivation theory. A questionnaire tested for reliability and validity was employed containing 34 variables and one open ended question. The sample consisted of 250 employees of all categories from the Therapy Center for Dependent Individuals in Greece (KETHEA). Respondents amounted to 182 (response rate of 72.8%). The study results indicated a general satisfaction of the personnel, as regards main motivation factors such as the nature of their work and their achievements, and a certain dissatisfaction regarding promotions at work and personal advancement. Hygiene factors related to organisation policy and administration, supervision, working conditions and job security, interpersonal relations and salary, presented narrow variation which indicates that KETHEA's personnel consider that these factors exist in a relatively satisfactory degree. The research results are interesting and rather unique due to the absence of similar results in substance abuse treatment organisations.