Initial Validation of a Multilevel Model of Job Satisfaction and Career Intentions Among Collegiate Athletic Trainers.

CONTEXT

The constructs of job satisfaction and career intentions in athletic training have been examined predominantly via unilevel assessment. The work-life interface is complex, and with troubling data regarding attrition, job satisfaction and career intentions should be examined via a multilevel model. Currently, no known multilevel model of career intentions and job satisfaction exists within athletic training.

OBJECTIVE

To validate a multilevel model of career intentions and job satisfaction among a collegiate athletic trainer population.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Web-based questionnaire.

PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS

Athletic trainers employed in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I, II, or III or a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics college or university (N = 299; 56.5% female, 43.5% male). The average age of participants was 34 ± 8.0 years, and average experience as an athletic trainer was 10.0 ± 8 years.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): A demographic questionnaire and 7 Likert-scale survey instruments were administered. Variables were responses related to work-family conflict, work-family enrichment, work-time control, perceived organizational family support, perceived supervisor family support, professional identity and values, and attitude toward women.

RESULTS

Exploratory factor analysis confirmed 3 subscales: (1) individual factors, (2) organizational factors, and (3) sociocultural factors. The scale was reduced from 88 to 62 items. A Cronbach α of 0.92 indicated excellent internal consistency.

CONCLUSIONS

A multilevel examination highlighting individual, organizational, and sociocultural factors is a valid and reliable measure of job satisfaction and career identity among athletic trainers employed in the collegiate setting.