Background characteristics and work values distinguishing satisfaction levels among engineers

Abstract

Attempted to determine if those with higher job satisfaction in a national sample of 1,500 professional engineers could be distinguished from those with lower levels of satisfaction on the basis of personal, background, and structural variables. Linear discriminant function analysis disclosed those most satisfied were best discriminated with 67 and 65% classification accuracy in initial and replication groups, respectively. Discrimination for those least satisfied was 2nd best with 63-47% hit rates. Group discriminators were best described by professional training and knowledge, job values, and participation in technical activities. An adapted method for applying function weights to individual cases is described. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)