The Quantitative Examination of the Relationship Between Job Satisfaction and Organizational Fit in Athletic Trainers

Athletic trainers' (ATs') job satisfaction has been extensively researched, yet little is known about how satisfaction relates to organizational culture.

To examine ATs' level of job satisfaction with and organizational-fit perceptions of their employment setting.

Cross-sectional study.

Web-based questionnaire.

A total of 5704 ATs (full-time employment, nonacademic appointment) were contacted via email; 841 participants began our survey (access rate = 14.7%), and 285 completed it (5.0% response rate; 33.9% completion rate). Demographic characteristics were men = 107 (37.5%), women = 178 (62.5%); age = 34.8 ± 9.9 years; and employment setting = 34.7% (n = 99) from National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I, 18.9% (n = 54) from Division II, 29.5% (n = 84) from Division III, and 16.9% (n = 48) other.

Participants responded to an online survey consisting of demographic questions, a 36-item Likert-scale Job Satisfaction Survey, and the Cable and Judge revision of the O'Reilly, Chatman, and Caldwell 40-item ranking Organizational Culture Profile survey. Multiple linear regression models for total or subscale job satisfaction were used to analyze the data. All models adjusted for the same demographic measures, and the independent variables of interest were created from the organizational culture survey responses.

Coworkers (minimum [min] = 9, maximum [max] = 24, ρ = .79), communications (min = 9, max = 24, ρ = .78), and work itself (min = 4, max = 24, ρ = .71) were most correlated with the total job satisfaction score (min = 96, max = 175). Of the respondents, 54% selected adaptability, stability, and taking individual responsibility as 1 of their 2 most characteristic attributes in the organizational culture profile. In addition, 83% of respondents indicated being aggressive, receiving high pay for good performance, and being distinctive or different from others as their 2 least characteristic traits.

The job satisfaction of these ATs was affected most by organizational factors, such as coworkers and communication, as well as by individual attributes such as adaptability, stability, and taking personal responsibility.