PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY, COMMITMENT, WORK VALUES, AND SPIRITUAL WELL-BEING: A STRUCTURAL EQUATION MODEL ON JOB SATISFACTION AMONG PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHERS

Abstract

Job satisfaction among public elementary school teachers has become a significant concern due to increasing professional demands, workplace challenges, and evolving educational expectations. Low levels of job satisfaction may adversely affect teachers' performance, commitment, and overall well-being, ultimately influencing the quality of education provided to learners. These challenges underscore the need to identify the factors that contribute to teachers' job satisfaction. This study aimed to develop a structural model explaining job satisfaction among public elementary school teachers. A quantitative, non-experimental research design employing Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was utilized. Data were collected from public elementary school teachers using standardized questionnaires measuring professional identity, commitment, work values, spiritual well-being, and job satisfaction. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and SEM were employed to examine the relationships among the variables and determine the best-fitting structural model. The findings revealed that professional identity, commitment, work values, and spiritual well-being were all significantly associated with job satisfaction. The proposed structural model demonstrated acceptable goodness-of-fit indices, confirming its adequacy in explaining teachers' job satisfaction. Furthermore, spiritual well-being and professional commitment emerged as the strongest predictors of job satisfaction. The study concludes that strengthening teachers' professional identity, commitment, work values, and spiritual well-being can enhance job satisfaction. The developed structural model provides empirical evidence that may guide educational leaders and policymakers in designing interventions that promote teacher well-being, professional development, and organizational effectiveness. SDG Indicator: 4 Quality Education, 3 Good Health and Well-Being, 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth