Job Satisfaction of Arab Speech-Language Pathologists in Different Work Settings in Kuwait Using the Job Satisfaction Survey

Abstract

Purpose: Job satisfaction impacts employee work performance, productivity, and retention. We investigated levels of job satisfaction among Arab speech-language pathologists (SLPs) across different work settings in Kuwait. The aims were to determine the differences between work settings for SLPs in terms of job satisfaction and the reasons behind SLPs' migration from one setting to another and to identify the variables that contribute significantly to job satisfaction in each work setting. Method: A 36-item Job Satisfaction Survey (JSS) questionnaire was used to evaluate job satisfaction based on responses to a 6-point Likert-type scale distributed to SLPs across school, hospital, and private clinic settings. Overall JSS score and subscale category ratings were computed and compared between different work settings to assess the influence of variables such as pay, promotion, supervision, benefits, and nature of work on job satisfaction among SLPs working in Kuwait. Results: According to JSS normative data, the highest job satisfaction scores were obtained from SLPs working in private clinics, with average satisfaction scores among those working in government, school, and medical settings. The highest job satisfaction scores for supervision, coworkers, and nature of work subscale categories were similar for SLPs in each setting. The lowest satisfaction scores of subscale categories differed between settings: “promotion” in schools, “fringe benefits” in government medical settings, and “operating conditions” in private clinics. Conclusions: While the need exists to attract SLPs to work in government medical settings (hospitals and clinics) in Kuwait, increased opportunity for professional development courses that are relevant to the discipline, and improved communication among SLPs and departmental heads, is necessary to both attract and retain them. Changes in the government setting need to be made in order to prevent the migration of SLPs from government hospitals to private hospitals where they are desperately needed.