Validation of a Job Satisfaction Scale among Health Workers

Abstract

Background: Job satisfaction is a key focus in organizational behavior studies, particularly relevant in the healthcare sector and nursing. It influences patient care quality and staff retention and is shaped by the work environment, working conditions, managerial support, and interactions among colleagues. However, there is limited research specifically addressing the job satisfaction of nurses in Peru, a critical area in health administration. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the metric properties of the S20/23 job satisfaction scale among Peruvian nurses. Methods: An instrumental research design was employed using a non-probabilistic sample of 325 nurses from two hospitals in Lima, Peru. The Chilean version of the S20/23 scale was used, comprising four dimensions of job satisfaction (relationship with supervision, physical work space, professional fulfillment, and training and decision-making opportunities). Data analysis included descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and reliability tests using Cronbach's Alpha and McDonald's Omega. Results: The CFA revealed a satisfactory fit for the four-dimensional structure with 18 items (χ2 = 387.290, df = 124, p < .001, CFI = 0.92, TLI = 0.90, RMSEA = 0.08, SRMR = 0.05). The scale also demonstrated high reliability for each dimension: relationship with supervision (α = 0.90, ꞷ = 0.87), physical work space (α, ꞷ = 0.92), professional fulfillment (α, ꞷ = 0.88), and training and decision-making opportunities (α = 0.88, ꞷ = 0.84), with acceptable factor loadings (>0.70). Conclusions: The adapted 18-item S20/23 scale is a valid and reliable tool for assessing job satisfaction among Peruvian nurses. The study highlights the importance of specific job satisfaction dimensions, such as relationships with supervisors and professional development opportunities, in the Peruvian nursing context.