The 16PF and Marital Satisfaction Inventory as Predictors of Missionary Job Success

Abstract

The present study evaluated the 16PF and Marital Satisfaction Inventory (MSI) in terms of their ability to predict missionary success, as measured by supervisor evaluations and attrition data. A sample of 158 missionary candidates from a large, evangelical mission agency completed the 16PF and the MSI as part of the application process to become career missionaries. The supervisor's recommendations for return to the team were positively correlated with group-orientation on the 16PF. Attrition was negatively correlated with the trait of enthusiasm on the 16PF. Job performance was positively correlated with the trait of group-orientation on the 16PF and negatively correlated with marital distress and dissatisfaction with time spent together on the MSI. Job satisfaction was positively correlated with the traits of being cool and reserved, and conservative on the 16PF.