The interrelationship among job satisfaction/dissatisfaction of student affairs professionals and selected demographic variables

This study explored demographic variables that correlate to job satisfaction and dissatisfaction among student affairs professionals in residence life, student activities, and Greek life. Emphasis was placed on understanding the interrelationship between job satisfaction/dissatisfaction and selected demographic variables as identified by Blank (1993) and Bailey (1997). The selected demographic variables examined in this study included the following: gender; age; ethnic background; marital status; highest degree completed; salary; years of post-baccalaureate student affairs experience; current functional area; years of experience in current functional area; and years in current position.; This study utilized a mixed-methods approach that explored the nature of correlations between job satisfaction and dissatisfaction variables as identified in Herzberg's Dual Factor Theory. Bailey's (1997) adaptation of Blank's (1993) survey instrument was distributed to directors of residence life, student activities, and Greek life departments at four-year land grant universities. The instrument is comprised of three parts: open-ended questions, a Likert-type scale for rating factors of satisfaction and dissatisfaction, and demographic variables.; This study concluded that there is no significant correlation between the job satisfaction/dissatisfaction factors and the demographic variables of marital status or years of experience in their current position. Other variables including age, post-baccalaureate experience in student affairs, and professional experience in current functional area were significantly correlated to select factors of job satisfaction/dissatisfaction.; The demographic variables of gender, ethnic background, highest degree completed, annual salary, and current functional area were significantly correlated to select job satisfaction/dissatisfaction factors. Statistically significant between-group differences were found for the following correlations: gender as it correlated with job security; ethnic background as it correlated with recognition; highest degree completed as it correlated with achievement and interpersonal relationships with peers; annual salary range as it correlated with achievement and salary; and current functional area as it correlated with achievement, interpersonal relationships with subordinates, status and the work itself.