Sources of Job Stress and Job Satisfaction Reported by Direct-Care Staff of Large Residential Mental Retardation Facilities

Abstract

An instrument measuring ratings of sources of job stress and satisfaction due to characteristics of residents and work conditions was completed by 136 direct-care staff members in four regional state mental retardation facilities. The results showed that while worker characteristics were unrelated to satisfaction and stress, differences by facility were present. Confirmation of the reliability of the Bersani and Heirfetz (1985) instrument was achieved, as was the validity of separation of stress from satisfaction and resident-related sources from those related to work conditions. The instrument appears to offer some unique information particularly appropriate for studies of job satisfaction for persons working in mental retardation facilities.

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