Instrumentality Model of Age and Job Satisfaction for Males and Females

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between age and job satisfaction for males and females. An instrumentality model dealing with age and job satisfaction is proposed and an empirical test of an hypothesis from this model is run. The predictions of the instrumentality model are supported. Job satisfaction increased with both age and tenure up to the pre-retirement period and then declined. Therefore, these results do not support Herzberg's U-shaped curve of the relationship between age and job satisfaction. In general, job satisfaction was lower for females than for males, particularly in pay and promotion. Implications of these results are discussed.