Personality and job satisfaction: their role in work-related psychological well-being

Abstract

This study investigated the role of work related psychological well-being in the relationship between personality and job satisfaction. Participants were 207 (females = 58.9%, blacks = 20.3%, white = 64.3%, Indian = 7.7% and Coloured = 6.8%) employees of various South African organisations. The participants completed the Ryff's Scale of Psychological Well-being, Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire, and the Basic Traits Inventory. The data were analysed by means of moderated hierarchical regression analysis. Results show self-acceptance, environmental mastery, and purpose in life fully explain extraversion and job satisfaction, and partly explain conscientiousness and job satisfaction. Self-acceptance, environmental mastery and purpose in life also moderated the relationship between neuroticism and job satisfaction. Findings lead to the conclusion that aspects of work related psychological well-being are influenced by personality traits and job satisfaction, growth and development.

Keywords:

• Job satisfaction
• personality
• psychological well-being
• Ryff's scale of psychological well-being
• subjective well-being

Acknowledgement

This research was financially assisted by the National Research Foundation (NRF). The opinions expressed and conclusions arrived at are those of the authors and should not be attributed to the NRF.