Evaluation of Job Satisfaction and its Related Factors among Faculty Members of Shahid Sadoughi Dental School, in 2021

Abstract

Introduction: A highly motivated workforce is considered a fundamental determinant of societal development. Job satisfaction encompasses individuals’ perceptions and evaluations of their work and reflects the overall positive attitudes and feelings they hold towards their job. Recognizing issues, challenges, levels of job satisfaction, and attitudes of faculty members toward their academic fields is an important responsibility of the national higher education system, as these findings can inform strategies for improving existing condition. Given the essential role of faculty members in educating future generations, this study was conducted in 2021 to evaluate the job satisfaction of faculty members of Shahid Sadoughi Dental School in Yazd City and to identify the factors affecting it. Following data collection, the information was entered into SPSS version 16. The Kolmogorov–Smirnov normality test was then used to assess the distribution of job satisfaction scores. Because the data were normally distributed, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the independent-samples t test were applied for statistical analysis. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed among faculty members of the Dentistry School of Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences in Yazd City in 2021. Data were collected using a questionnaire consisting of two sections: demographic characteristics and 44 items assessing job satisfaction. Following data collection, the information was entered into SPSS version 16 software version 16. The Kolmogorov–Smirnov normality test was then used to assessed the distribution of job satisfaction scores. Due to the normality of the data, ANOVA and the independent-samples T-test were applied for statistical analysis. Results: A total of 54 faculty members participated in this study, including 19 men and 35 women, with a mean age of 37.6 ±1.173 years. No statistically significant relationship was observed between job satisfaction scores and age, marital status, workplace, work experience, academic rank, and employment status (P >0.005). However, gender was significantly associated with the overall job satisfaction score and with scores in each questionnaire areas (P <0.005). Conclusion: The findings showed that 51.8% of the faculty members at the School of Dentistry, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd City, were "relatively satisfied" with their job in 2021. Therefore, by removing the obstacles of possible dissatisfaction of these people, a more suitable environment can be created to improve the quality of education.