Latent Class Analysis of Job and Life Satisfaction Among School Counselors: A National Survey

YEŞİLYAPRAK B., Boysan M.

JOURNAL OF HAPPINESS STUDIES, vol.16, no.1, pp.1-15, 2015 (SSCI) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 16 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2015
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s10902-013-9491-2
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF HAPPINESS STUDIES
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.1-15
  • Van Yüzüncü Yıl University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

We surveyed 1,293 employees working in the Ministry of National Education using a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Of these, 680 participants were school counselors (52.59 %), 371 were office staff (28.69 %), and 242 were administrators (18.72 %). Data were analyzed using latent class analysis. A four-class solution was fitted to the current data. Results revealed that 58.93 % of the respondents were satisfied and very satisfied with their current job and life. Among the school counselors, 66.47 % fell into the satisfied and very satisfied latent classes. School counselors reported greater levels of job and life satisfaction compared to other groups of employees. Working in a school and in non-urban settings were significant predictors of job and life satisfaction. Participants with higher levels of education reported higher scores on job and life satisfaction.