The Psychological Climate and Reported Well-Being of Underground Miners: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

This study explored the dimensions of underground miners' work-environment perceptions, how these dimensions related to measures of well-being, and to what extent such factors as age, seniority, and work assignment accountedfor perceptions of the environment and one's well-being. Four hundred sixty-nine nonmanagement employees participated in this investigation. Results indicated that the dimensions of work-environment perceptions were, to a large extent, similar to dimensions found in other occupational groups. Further, perceptions of the interpersonal behaviors of supervisors and of promotion practices in the mine seemed to have greatest significance for the miners' reports of well-being. Analyses of the effects of age, seniority, and work assignment yielded few statistically meaningful associations with selfand environmental perceptions, thereby suggesting that other variables may be more salient determinants of miners' attitudes. It was also noted that perceptions of the environment as well as indices of well-being had negligible correlations with life satisfaction. Some implications of these findings are discussed both in terms of future research directions and intervention strategies.