Beyond working conditions, psychosocial predictors of job satisfaction, and work engagement among French dentists and dental assistants

Abstract

Objectives: Using Job Demands and Resources Theory (Demerouti & Bakker, 2011, South African Journal of Industrial Psychology, 37, 1) as the guiding theoretical framework, the present study tested a model that included working condition variables (i.e., remuneration, workplace ergonomics, and work area), two psychosocial factors (i.e., perceived organizational support and psychological meaningfulness of work), and job satisfaction and work engagement among French dentists and dental assistants. Method: A sample of 218 French self-employed dentists and 143 dental assistants were surveyed via a self-administered questionnaire. Results: Multiple regression analysis revealed that the model accounted for 44% of variance in overall job satisfaction for dentists and 64% for dental assistants. In addition, the same model accounted for 39% of variation in overall work engagement for dentists and 50% for dental assistants. For both groups, the greatest part of the variance of job satisfaction and engagement at work was explained by psychosocial variables. Discussion: This study underscores the importance of psychosocial factors in job satisfaction and engagement at work among dental teams. It also provides a more comprehensive understanding of these relationships.