THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN ATTITUDES AND JOB-SATISFACTION - A STUDY OF IN-HOME CARE AIDES

The demand for in-home care of the elderly by paraprofessionals is increasing dramatically. This study examined whether in-home care aides’ personal characteristics related in a positive significant manner to their job satisfaction. A statewide sample consisted of 345 aides who worked for provider agencies. Results of multiple regression analysis indicated that 2 of the 11 independent variables, self-esteem and marital status, were significantly related to job satisfaction. Although it was predicted that the aides' attitudes toward elderly clients would relate to aides’ job satisfaction, results of the analysis did not support that hypothesis. Using the modified Oberleder Attitude Scale, only 1 of the 3 attitude factors, stereotype, related to aides’ personal characteristics. Stereotyped attitudes were related to age; younger workers had more stereotyped attitudes; and length of work and longer workweeks related to more stereotyped attitudes. © 1991 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.