Perceived autonomy and job satisfaction in occupational therapists

Area of Science:

• Occupational therapy
• Organizational psychology
• Human resources management

Background:

• Job satisfaction is crucial for healthcare professionals.
• Understanding factors influencing occupational therapists' job satisfaction is essential for retention.
• Autonomy and work environment significantly impact employee morale and performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between perceived autonomy and job satisfaction in occupational therapists.
• To identify key work incentives and disincentives affecting occupational therapists' job satisfaction.
• To provide insights for improving work environments and job satisfaction in the occupational therapy field.

Main Methods:

• A survey was administered to 249 occupational therapists.
• Participants rated their perceived autonomy and overall job satisfaction.
• Respondents identified specific work incentives and disincentives.
• Statistical analysis explored the relationship between autonomy and job satisfaction factors.

Main Results:

• Occupational therapists reported moderately high levels of perceived autonomy and overall job satisfaction.
• Perceived incentives included achievement, interpersonal relationships with co-workers, and the nature of the work.
• Job disincentives identified were lack of organizational support for training, limited opportunities for advancement, and suboptimal working conditions.
• Perceived autonomy showed a positive correlation with overall job satisfaction and its specific factors.

Conclusions:

• Perceived autonomy is a significant positive predictor of job satisfaction among occupational therapists.
• Addressing identified disincentives, such as improving training support and advancement opportunities, could enhance job satisfaction.
• The findings underscore the importance of fostering autonomy and a supportive work environment in occupational therapy settings.