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Affectivity model provides best expanation of genetic influence on job satisfaction
NewsRx.com - October 02, 2003

Genetic influences on job satisfaction are best explained using the affectivity model of disposition.

In a recent study, scientists in the United States investigated "the extent to which traits reflecting individual differences in personality and affectivity explain or mediate genetic influences on job satisfaction."

"Using estimates of the dispositional source of job satisfaction according to two dispositional frameworks - the five-factor model and positive affectivity-negative affectivity (PA-NA) - and behavioral-genetic estimates of the heritabilities of job satisfaction and the dispositional factors," R. Ilies and coauthors at Michigan State University "computed the proportion of genetic variance in job satisfaction that is explained by these trait frameworks."

The "results indicate that the affectivity model is a stronger mediator of genetic effects on job satisfaction than the five-factor model," according to the report.

"PA and NA mediate about 45% of the genetic influences on job satisfaction, whereas the five-factor model mediates approximately 24% of these genetic effects," the researchers concluded.

Ilies and colleagues published the results of their research in the Journal of Applied Psychology (On the heritability of job satisfaction: The mediating role of personality. J Appl Psychol, 2003;88(4):750-759).

For additional information, contact R. Ilies, Michigan State University, Eli Broad Graduate School of Management, Department of Management, N475 N. Business Complex, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.

The publisher of the Journal of Applied Psychology can be contacted at: American Psychological Association, 750 First St. NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242, USA.

The information in this article comes under the major subject areas of Genomics & Genetics and Mental Health. This article was prepared by Biotech Week editors from staff and other reports.

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®2001 American Psychological Association
Last updated: 10/06/2003 - 07:35 PM