Best Predictors Of Satisfaction Research Articles

Personality traits and engagement in activities - predictors of life satisfaction for ageing persons

Abstract Background The aim of the research was to find out, using primary SHARE (Survey of Health, Aging, and Retirement in Europe) data, how personality traits and involvement in activities predict life satisfaction. Two research questions were raised: (1) Is there a connection between personality traits, engagement in activities and satisfaction with life? (2) How do personality traits and involvement in activities predict life satisfaction? In total, 1479 respondents (36.8% (545) men, 63.2% (934) women) were selected from the Latvian sample, over 50 years old (M = 66,58, SD = 11,21), with permanent residence in the territory of Latvia. The results of the study showed that life satisfaction is predicted by personality traits such as neuroticism, conscientiousness, openness and agreeableness. On the other hand, the types of activities offered predict the impact on life satisfaction by engaging in volunteer/charity work. Conclusions there is a relationship between personality traits, engagement in activities and satisfaction with life. Personality traits such as neuroticism, conscientiousness, openness, and agreeableness can predict life satisfaction. Practical application of Results knowing the personality traits and engagement in activities, as predictive factors for life satisfaction for Latvians over 50 years, will probably indicate which personality traits and some of the offered activities will be taken by those who have not reached 50 years of age. The study was performed within the project/agreement No. 1.1.1.2/VIAA/3/19/540 'Challenges of ageing in the Baltic Sea region'. Key messages Personality traits and engagement in activities may predictit life satisfaction in older people. Volunteer work is one of the best predictors of satisfaction with life among older people.

Impact of Community Experiences on Student Retention Perceptions and Satisfaction in Higher Education

Understanding student experiences and the ability to predict satisfaction and retention continues to be an important topic in higher education. Among the many variables that have predictive capacity, recent research shows that a sense of belonging may be an important factor. The present study extends this logic to examine if a sense of community (which contains a subconstruct of belonging) is a better predictor of satisfaction and retention perceptions compared with academic achievement (i.e., grade point average and Dean’s List status) and engagement (i.e., in class, in programs, and with others). Second, we examine if a sense of community responsibility predicts behavioral engagement toward the campus community (i.e., organizational citizenship behaviors). We carry out these aims to test the efficacy of the community experiences model and its application in higher education institutional research contexts.

Can Physical Education Contribute to Learning English? Structural Model from Self-Determination Theory

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze a model of prediction of satisfaction with bilingual physical education from basic psychological needs and motivation. Methods: The sample consisted of 758 students (347 men and 411 women) in secondary education in Spain, aged between 13 years and 18 years (M = 15.22, SD = 1.27). Questionnaires of the Scale of Psychological Basic Needs, Perceived Locus of Causality, and the bilingual Scale Satisfaction Instrument (SSI-PE), all adapted to physical education were used in the exercise. Results: Descriptive analyses, correlation and structural equation models were performed. Intrinsic motivation showed a high and positive relationship with identity regulation and satisfaction/fun, and boredom negatively correlated with all scales except amotivation. Conclusion: The equations in this model prove that autonomy is the best predictor of intrinsic motivation, and that this is the best predictor of satisfaction in bilingual physical education.

La satisfacción de los usuarios de actividades dirigidas de los Centros deportivos municipales de Barcelona

El objetivo de este trabajo es el de identificar y analizar los factores que subyacen en el nivel de satisfacción de los usuarios de centros deportivos municipales que realizan actividades dirigidas y compararlo con aquellos usuarios que no hacen uso de este servicio. Los datos fueron recogidos de una encuesta entre los clientes de centros deportivos municipales, de los que 536 sujetos manifestaron realizar actividades dirigidas en el centro. Las mujeres y los usuarios con un nivel de estudios secundarios son los que más utilizan estos servicios. Un análisis factorial aplicado revela tres dimensiones que contribuyen a la satisfacción, en ambos casos, pero la composición de cada uno de ellos es diferente. Finalmente, del análisis de regresión múltiple se desprende que un gerente debe prestar atención, en primer lugar, a la calidad de las instalaciones y la comunicación ya que fueron el mejor predictor de la satisfacción. The aim of this work is to identify and analyze the factors that underlie the level of satisfaction of users of municipal sports centers that conduct directed activities and compare it with those users who do not use this service. Data were collected in a survey among users of municipal sports centers, of which 536 subjects stated that they carried out directed activities at the center. Women and users with a high school level are the ones who use these services the most. An applied factor analysis reveals three dimensions that contribute to satisfaction, in both cases, but the composition of each of them is different. Finally, the multiple regression analysis shows that a manager must pay attention, first of all, to the quality of the facilities and communication since they were the best predictor of satisfaction.

Attachment and relationship satisfaction among first married, remarried, and post‐divorce relationships

AbstractThis study examined relationship satisfaction and adult attachment in a sample of 562 participants: 340 in a first marriage (60.5%); 122 separated/divorced from their first spouse (21.7%); and 100 in a second marriage (17.8%). For participants in a relationship (dating or married), findings indicated no differences between groups on relationship satisfaction; instead, attachment served as a better predictor of satisfaction. Further, no differences existed when comparing first‐ and second‐married participants on attachment. Differences existed between separated/divorced participants and first‐ and second‐married participants on most attachment indexes; similarities existed between separated/divorce and second‐married participants on levels of preoccupation and model of self. When comparing non‐dating and dating separated/divorced participants, dating participants reported higher secure attachment and models of others and lower fearful attachment. Clinical and research implications will be discussed.Practitioner points Contrary to most extant literature, attachment styles and behaviour may be a better predictor of relationship satisfaction than relationship type (e.g. first vs. second marriage) Consider the important role of attachment within relationships throughout adulthood and how attachment styles may differ in different types of relationships Attachment frameworks should be used when developing interventions for couples to increase relationship satisfaction and attachment security

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN EMPLOYED AND UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE IN SATISFACTION WITH LIFE, SUBJECTIVE HAPPINESS, AND LATENT AND MANIFEST BENEFITS OF WORKDIFFERENCES BETWEEN EMPLOYED AND UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE IN SATISFACTION WITH LIFE, SUBJECTIVE HAPPINESS, AND LATENT AND MANIFEST BENEFITS OF WORK

The problem of this study was to explore differences in well-being between employed and unemployed persons in Serbia, as well as the differences between the employed and the unemployed in prediction of well-being based on manifest and latent benefits of employment. The study consisted of 237 participants from Serbia, whereby 61.6% were employed. Participants varied by gender, work status, education, place of living and socioeconomic status, but employed and unemployed participants did not differ according to socio-demographic variables. The used instruments were Satisfaction With Life Scale, Subjective Happiness Scale, and The Latent and Manifest Benefits Scale, which measured benefits of employment. Results showed that the employed people had higher satisfaction with life, more financial security, and more structured time than the unemployed. However, there was no difference in subjective happiness between the employed and unemployed participants. Using hierarchical regression analysis it was shown that the best predictor of satisfaction with life in the subsample of the employed was financial status, followed by more social contacts and better time structure and social status. The best predictor of satisfaction with life in the subsample of unemployed was latent benefit which included social contacts, and then financial status. Based on these results we could assume that, in Serbia, financial strain is more important than latent benefits in prediction of satisfaction with life, at least in the case of employed people.

The Benefits of Social Support for Listeners with Impaired Hearing

The Benefits of Social Support for Listeners with Impaired Hearing

Communication Competence, Leadership Behaviors, and Employee Outcomes in Supervisor-Employee Relationships

Supervisor communication competence and leadership style were used to predict specific employee outcomes. In the study, 276 participants working in various industries completed measures of communication competence and leadership styles about their direct supervisor along with measures of their job satisfaction, motivation, and organizational commitment. As predicted, effective and appropriate communication were both positively related to satisfaction, motivation, and organizational commitment. Furthermore, task- and relations-oriented leadership styles were both positively related to all three employee outcomes as well. Finally, regression analysis determined that effective communication and relations-oriented leadership were the best predictors of satisfaction, motivation, and organizational commitment.

A Comparative Study of Student Engagement, Satisfaction, and Academic Success among International and American Students

This study examines the relationship between student engagement, student satisfaction, and the academic success of international and American students using 2008 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) data. It was found that international students scored slightly higher than American students on enriching educational experiences and supportive campus environment/institutional emphases during their senior year benchmarks. Further, international and American students similarly evaluated their entire educational experience at this institution between good and excellent; however, American students evaluated it slightly higher than international students. Additionally, academic success measured by grades was between B+ and A- for both groups of students; however, international students evaluated it slightly higher than American students. Finally, it was found that the best predictors of satisfaction with the entire experience at this institution and academic success measured by grades were the five benchmarks of effective educational practice.

Research Note

This study examined whether satisfaction with the Air Force (AF) as way of life increased post-9/11 and whether it has sustained. Using data from 179,309 personnel collected across a period of eight years (2000–2008) in four waves of cross-sectional data collection, we found that satisfaction with the AF as a way of life increased dramatically following 9/11 and since then has declined from the height, but has not returned to pre-9/11 levels. After controlling for time as well as demographics, the best predictors of satisfaction were (1) feeling that the AF is a good environment for bringing up children, (2) a strong a sense of community, and (3) perceived strong unit leader support for members and their families.

Predicción de la satisfacción y el bienestar en el trabajo: hacia un modelo de organización saludable en Colombia

In this article we include data from a study conducted on a sample of 240 Colombian workers. The main objective was to determine if the perception of social climate, the job description (significance, responsibility, and knowledge of results), and the experience of flow can predict worker satisfaction and well‐being in the workplace. Two theoretical models were designed, one with direct effects of social climate and job description over satisfaction and well–being, and the other with flow as a mediator variable, which were estimated by structural equations. Our results showed that the perception of social climate is a good predictor of satisfaction in organizations. Also, flow accurately and widely predicts satisfaction at work.

SUBJEKTIVNA DOBROBIT BRAČNIH PARTNERA PRILIKOM TRANZICIJE U RODITELJSTVO

Parenting is one of the most important experiences of individuals which brings changes in all aspects of life. The transition to parenthood is one of the most universal transitions, and most researchers and practitioners in the field of parenting and intimate relationships agrees that the transition to parenthood is reflected in the overall functioning of an individual who becomes a parent. The aim of this study was to determine if there are changes in subjective well-being of spouses during the transition to parenthood, and what the role of positive personality traits, satisfaction with marriage during the pregnancy, parenting satisfaction and parental competence in contribution to subjective well- -being of new parents is. The study included 40 couples (N = 80) that were examined at two time points during the second trimester of pregnancy, and approx. nine months postpartum. The following instruments were used: A questionnaire of general information, General life satisfaction scale, The scale of satisfaction with marriage, Stress scale, Scale of parental competence and Personality traits questionnaire. The results showed that the baby does not violate marriage satisfaction, but contributes to the increase in life satisfaction of spouses, which is discussed in the context of the psychological welfare of parenting, generativity and the revised hierarchy of human needs. Personality traits, especially extraversion and conscientiousness, contribute to life satisfaction during the transition to parenthood. Satisfaction with marriage during the pregnancy and parenting satisfaction, as an affective component of parenting experience, were the best predictors of satisfaction with marriage nine months postpartum.

Humor styles and relationship satisfaction in dating couples: Perceived versus self-reported humor styles as predictors of satisfaction

AbstractHumor has been identified as a potentially important variable in facilitating relationship satisfaction in romantic couples. Using a measure of stable differences in how humor is expressed by individuals, the current research looks at the possibility that dating couples have similar humor styles, and at whether self-reported or perceived humor styles best predict relationship satisfaction. Individuals in a sample of 82 couples independently completed the measures of own and perceived partner's humor styles and relationship satisfaction on multiple indicators of satisfaction. The results indicate little similarity within couples on humor styles. The best predictors of satisfaction were perceptions of a partner's humor style, with humor styles that were other-directed explaining the most variability in satisfaction. The results demonstrate the usefulness of treating humor uses as a multidimensional variable to better understand the roles humor might play across circumstances and relationships.

The Effect of Luminance Distribution Patterns on Occupant Preference in a Daylit Office Environment

New research in daylighting metrics and developments in validated digital High Dynamic Range (HDR) photography techniques suggest that luminance based lighting controls have the potential to provide occupant satisfaction and energy saving improvements over traditional illuminance based lighting controls. This paper studies occupant preference and acceptance of patterns of luminance using HDR imaging and a repeated measures design methodology in a daylit office environment. Three existing luminance threshold analysis methods [method1: predetermined absolute luminance threshold (for example, 2000 cd/m2), method2: scene based mean luminance threshold and method3: task based mean luminance threshold] were studied along with additional candidate metrics for their ability to explain luminance variability of 18 participant assessments of ‘preferred’ and just disturbing' scenes under daylighting conditions. Per-pixel luminance data from each scene were used to calculate Daylighting Glare Probability (DGP), Daylight Glare Index (DGI), and other candidate metrics using these three luminance threshold analysis methods. Of the established methods, the most consistent and effective metrics to explain variability in subjective responses were found to be; mean luminance of the task (using method3; adjr2 = 0.59), mean luminance of the entire scene (using method2; adjr2 = 0.44), and DGP using 2000 cd/m2 as a glare source identifier (using method1; adjr2 = 0.41). Of the 150 candidate metrics tested, the most effective was the ‘mean luminance of the glare sources’, where the glare sources were identified as 7* the mean luminance of the task position (adjr2 = 0.64). Furthermore, DGP consistently performed better than DGI, confirming previous findings. ‘Preferred’ scenes never had more than ∼ 10 percent of the field of view (FOV) that exceeded 2000 cd/m2. Standard deviation of the entire scene luminance also proved to be a good predictor of satisfaction with general visual appearance.

Analysis of Structural Equation Model for the Student Pleasure Travel Market: Motivation, Involvement, Satisfaction, and Destination Loyalty

Greater understanding of the model that plays a role in attracting certain visitor segments thus allows travel businesses to develop marketing strategies. This research analyzes an empirical model including push motivations, pull motivations, cognitive involvement, affective involvement, satisfaction, and loyalty to students' top domestic and international destinations. Results suggest push motivations are a good predictor of pull motivations, which in turn are considered a good predictor of cognitive involvement. Cognitive involvement is a good predictor of both affective involvement and satisfaction. Affective involvement is a good predictor of satisfaction. This study also confirms the significant association of satisfaction with destination loyalty. Hence, the proposed model provides a good quality of theoretical framework to positively predict travel demand toward domestic and international destinations.

Reexploring the Subconcepts of the Wittmann-Price Theory of Emancipated Decision Making in Women's Healthcare

This study explored the 5 subconcepts (empowerment, flexible environment, personal knowledge, reflection, and social norms) of the Wittmann-Price Theory of Emancipated Decision Making (EDM) in women's healthcare, a theoretical model. Pain management for labor was the clinical exemplar. The correlation of EDM and satisfaction with the decision (SWD) was measured, and flexible environment was the subscale with the highest mean score. There was a significant relationship between EDM and SWD (r = 0.70, P < .001). Personal knowledge and flexible environment were the best predictors of satisfaction. This study advances the theory of EDM for the nursing care of women.

Measuring Student Expectations and Their Effects on Satisfaction: The Importance of Managing Student Expectations

Two studies investigate the relationship between student expectations and student satisfaction. Can students’ satisfaction with a course be accurately predicted by comparing their perceptions to their expectations (as suggested by the expectancy/disconfirmation paradigm)? The results of these studies suggest that the answer to this question is strongly affected by the method used to measure student expectations. When recalled expectations and current perceptions are measured together at the end of a term, the extent to which student expectations are fulfilled does appear to be a good predictor of satisfaction. When expectations are measured at the beginning of a term however, the extent to which they are fulfilled is not a strong predictor of course satisfaction. These results have implications for marketing educators both in terms of the role they can play in affecting their students’ expectations and in terms of the timing of independent course assessments they may choose to administer.

Exploring the Subconcepts of the Wittmann‐Price Theory of Emancipated Decision‐Making in Women's Health Care

To explore the subconcepts of the Wittmann-Price Theory of Emancipated Decision-Making (EDM); which is proposed as a new theoretical model for the nursing care of women to increase women's satisfaction with decision-making about healthcare issues. Infant feeding method was used as the clinical exemplar. A descriptive correlational design was used to test the five identified subconcepts of EDM (empowerment, flexible environment, personal knowledge, reflection, and social norms) in women's healthcare. The relationship of emancipated decision-making and satisfaction were explored with the Subject Demographic Questionnaire (SDQ), the Wittmann-Price Theory of Emancipated Decision-making Scale (EDMS), and the Satisfaction with Decision (SWD) scale. The research design was retrospective, without random sampling of subjects. Four research questions were posed for this investigation. Women who had uncomplicated deliveries and met the selected criteria were enrolled (N=97). All five subconcepts of EDM were scored on subscales on the EDMS; flexible environment and personal knowledge had the highest mean scores. Pearson correlations showed that all five subscales were significantly related to each other except reflection with personal knowledge and reflection with social norms. A significant relationship was found between the EDM and satisfaction with the decision. Personal knowledge and flexible environment were the best predictors of satisfaction with the decision. The Wittmann-Price Theory of EDM is a theoretical model with implications for nursing care of women who are involved in a healthcare decision, such as choice of infant feeding. Further studies are needed to determine the importance of each of the subconcepts in relation to emancipated decision-making.

So which score on the LibQual+™ tells me if library users are satisfied?

Scores on the LibQual+™, a standardized measure of academic library service quality grounded in Expectation Confirmation–Disconfirmation theory, were analyzed to determine whether the perceived score, a direct rating of service quality, is a more valid indicator of user satisfaction than the superiority gap score, which is the simple difference between the perceived performance rating assigned to the service and a desired level of performance. According to the theory underlying the LibQual+™, the score with the highest correlations to eight validity indicators should have been the superiority gap score, but this study found that the perceived score is a better predictor of satisfaction than the superiority gap score. Once the perceived rating is partialled-out from the correlation between the superiority gap score and the validity criterion, the value of the gap score becomes almost nil. The data call into question the use of the superiority gap score to infer satisfaction.

The impact of Greek University students’ perceptions of their learning environment on approaches to studying and academic outcomes

The relationship between university students’ perceptions of their academic environment, their approaches to study, and academic outcomes was investigated for first and fourth-final year students. The responses of 88 first and 92 fourth year students were analysed using a path analysis model. Students’ perceptions of the learning environment were measured by an instrument based on the Course Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ) and Course Experience Questionnaire (CEQ) inventories. The Approaches to Studying Inventory (ASI) was used to assess students’ approaches to studying. The structure of the ASI inventory was explored by factor analysis. The analysis gave two factors which reflect the deep and surface approaches to studying. Workload does not predict any of the studying approaches and academic outcomes. There was a pattern of relationships between deep approach, perceptions of learning environment which encourage this approach, and outcomes. Assessment methods was the best predictor of satisfaction for all of the students. For the first year students, University grade was not associated with any of the explored variables but the level of satisfaction was predicted by relationships with tutors and fellows. For the fourth year students, good teaching predicted achievement both directly and indirectly through the deep approach to studying. The findings indicate that fourth year students’ perceptions of the current learning environment are a stronger predictor of academic achievement than prior academic ability (university entrance examinations’ grade). The study suggests further exploration of the impact of affect in learning especially for the newcomers.