OPERATING ROOM NURSES' PERSONALITY PROFILES AS RELATED TO JOB SATISFACTION.
Contributors: Indiana University School of Nursing.
Published: 1986
Number of pages: 150
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: The purpose of the project was to investigate the relationship between selected personality variables and job satisfaction among nurses employed in operating rooms (OR). The study tested hypothesized aspects of French and Kahn's (1962) Person-Environment Fit Theory which explains job satisfaction as a function of person-environment fit, and proposes that job satisfaction is influenced by personality variables.

The sample consisted of 138 registered nurses. Five instruments were utilized to measure the variables: Spielbergers's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, a modification of Rotter's Internal-External Locus of Control General Expectancy Scale, an OR specific locus of control expectancy scale, and a job satisfaction semantic differential. The data were collected at the beginning of a working day.

Four hypotheses predicted negative relationships between the personality variables and job satisfaction. Additional hypotheses included age, education and job tenure.

The personality, age and job tenure hypotheses were analyzed by Pearson correlations. The education hypothesis was analyzed by Chi Square. The personality hypotheses were supported in the predicted direction; thus, support for the Person-Environment Fit Theory was established. The hypotheses concerning age, tenure and education were not supported.

ANOVA's were utilized to determine if differences in job satisfaction could be identified when comparing grouped subjects on each of the personality variables. As state and trait anxiety decreased; and locus of control decreased toward internality, job satisfaction increased. These findings were further support for the theory.

Post hoc analyses suggested there is a relationship between the number of the ORs within an institution and job satisfaction. Nurses from hospitals with fewer ORs were more satisfied. Also, basic educational OR experience was related to job satisfaction.

A regression analysis included the theoretical and demographic variables. Trait anxiety, OR specific locus of control and size of OR, entered into the prediction of job satisfaction.

It was concluded that the Person-Environment Fit Theory was supported, and that there is a need for further investigation of the variables, size of OR and OR student experience. Results have implications for continued research into the relationship between personality variables and job satisfaction for OR nurses as job satisfaction may be a factor in retention and turnover.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 49-10, Section: B, page: 4231.

Thesis (D.N.S.)--INDIANA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF NURSING, 1986.

School code: 0815.