Relative contributions of congruence and personality dimensions to job satisfaction

Research generally supports Holland's postulated relation between congruence and job satisfaction, but the magnitude of the relation seldom surpasses .30 Sample size and breadth and measurement of congruence and job satisfaction, however, are often limited. This research surveyed the job satisfaction of 395 diversely employed adults to determine whether personality dimensions recognized in the five-factor model of personality contributed to prediction of job satisfaction beyond the contribution of congruence. Personality also was examined as a primary predictor. Congruence, as measured by each of two indices, did not predict job satisfaction, but the block of Big-Five personality dimensions did contribute significantly to the prediction of job satisfaction; extraversion and low neuroticism were unique predictors. Results also failed to support the hypothesis that personality moderates the congruence-satisfaction relation. (C) 1997 Academic Press.