Job Satisfaction and Intern Supervision Among School Psychologist- a Study for School Psychologists and Other Social Scientists

This national study proposed to measure the job satisfaction of full-time public school psychologists and to explore the relationship with intern supervision during the spring semester of the 2004-2005 school year. Five hundred randomly selected school psychologists were asked to complete and return a data form and a modified version of the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MMSQ). The data form was designed to provide the examiner with demographic information as well as information on estimated role function, number of interns supervised in the past, factors that may have prevented them from supervising interns, and open-ended questions regarding aspects of job satisfaction and the perceived impact of supervising interns on job satisfaction. With a 63% response rate, the job satisfaction results of the current study are generally consistent with previous investigations. Eighty-nine percent of school psychologists who participated in this study reported being very satisfied or satisfied with their jobs. Of the 20 facets of job satisfaction, social service and moral values were rated the highest, indicating the greatest influence on job satisfaction, while school system policies and procedures was the lowest rated facet. Qualitatively, most school psychologists reported that being of service to others is the most desirable aspect of their jobs. General satisfaction on the MMSQ was related to the socioeconomic status of the school district, degree of control over daily activities, experience with supervising interns, and level of job satisfaction indicated on the data form. The latter was the only predictor of overall job satisfaction on the MMSQ. In regard to role function, there was no statistical difference between time spent engaged in assessment, consultation, counseling, research, clerical duties, and administrative duties when working with or without a school psychologist intern. Finally, school psychologists who had engaged in the supervision of interns reported significantly higher levels of job satisfaction than school psychologists who have not supervised interns. The implications of this study suggest that the field of school psychology is healthy and has many attractive components. Promoting intern supervision as a form of professional development is discussed, along with other recommendations for the profession. This book is directed towards school psychologists and other social scientists who are interested in examining the effects of being a mentor on their own level of job satisfaction as well as to future researchers in related areas.