Most people believe that a good job is enough to bring us job satisfaction. But new research suggests that job satisfaction is more complex and includes three different components: how fulfilled someone feels, how meaningful their work is, and how rich in experiences that change the way they see things.
Lead researchers from Leipzig University and Harvard University studied 678 German workers (“Why difficult jobs might lead to greater career fulfillment“) from a variety of industries to better understand what makes a working life truly fulfilling. Their findings, published in the Journal of Positive Psychology, have revealed new aspects linked to workplace well-being.
Work and “psychological richness”
In their study, the researchers introduced the concept of “psychological richness of work,” which captures how intellectually stimulating and emotionally complex work experiences can be, as well as the extent to which they can alter the employee’s perspective.
Surprisingly, jobs with high psychological richness were often accompanied by higher levels of job stress and challenge, suggesting that some of the very factors that make work difficult may also make it more appealing, promoting personal growth.
Which occupations bring the most satisfaction?
When looking at different career paths, the researchers found interesting patterns. When examining job titles among study participants, those who worked as architects, human resources professionals, and software developers tended to report higher job satisfaction.
Firefighters, nurses, and teachers often found their work more meaningful. On the other hand, occupations like flight attendants and special education workers tended to offer richer experiences that helped workers see things differently. Librarians, accountants, and janitors in the study reported lower levels of psychological richness in their work.
What’s the connection to job stress?
While factors like high workloads and frequent distractions reduced employees’ job satisfaction, those same challenges were associated with higher psychological wealth, the researchers report. In other words, the very things that made a job difficult or demanding also made it more attractive or, according to the participants, offered opportunities for growth.
“Our findings suggest that work life may not always be fulfilling and meaningful, but that does not necessarily mean that work well-being is low. This is an interesting and emotionally complex relationship,” the researchers report.
The Six Musts of Professional Wellbeing in Every Job
The researchers also identified six key ingredients that contribute to all aspects of workplace well-being:
– Understanding how work fits into the bigger picture.
– Active participation in decision-making.
– Opportunities for learning and development.
– Support from supervisors.
– Good relationships with colleagues.
– A sense of connection to your work.
“Our study suggests that psychological richness of work is a dimension of professional well-being that can allow people to gain something positive, even from negative experiences that may arise,” the researchers conclude.
