Age-Related Changes on the Effects of Job Characteristics on Job Satisfaction: A Longitudinal Analysis. (July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cavanagh, Thomas M.; Kraiger, Kurt; L. Henry, Kim
• Is Part Of: International journal of aging and human development. Volume 91:Number 1(2020)
• Page Start: 60
• Page End: 84
• Publication Date: 2020-07
• Subjects: older workers -- aging -- employees -- job satisfaction -- socioemotional selectivity theory -- multilevel modeling; Older people -- Periodicals; Aging -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Aging -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Periodicals; Aging -- Periodicals; 305.26
• DOI: 10.1177/0091415019837996
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0091-4150

Abstract

Older adults constitute an increasingly large share of the workforce. Older workers often contribute positively to organizational outcomes through characteristics such as deep organizational knowledge and long-standing client relationships. Thus, it is important to understand how to maintain or increase older workers' job satisfaction, a variable that has been linked to positive work outcomes. In this study, several hypotheses regarding job satisfaction and age were derived from Carstensen's socioemotional selectivity theory and were tested using longitudinal analysis of a cross-sequential sample. Supporting socioemotional selectivity theory, results showed that autonomy became increasingly important to job satisfaction as workers age. Contrary to the theory, annual income also became increasingly important to job satisfaction. We discuss the importance of our findings for theory, research, and practice.