| Abstract
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This study examined the relationships between work satisfaction and various personal and job-related variables. A random sample of 15 Arab and Jewish human services departments was selected from a list of human services departments made available by the Israeli Association of Social Workers. Of the 400 social workers employed at these departments, 218 completed the surveys; 72 were Arabs and the remaining 146 were Jewish social workers. Results of the Pearson correlation test show significant positive correlations between job satisfaction and autonomy, quality of supervision, working with colleagues, comfort, opportunities for promotion, and age. The results of the two-way analysis of covariance show a significant difference between Arab and Jewish social workers, with Jews being more satisfied than Arabs. On the other hand, no significant difference was found between male and female social workers. A stepwise multiple regression analysis was conducted to estimate a model that best predicts work satisfaction within each group. The first model explained 23% of the total variance in job satisfaction, with two factors emerging as significant predictors of overall job satisfaction among Arab social workers: (a) quality of supervision (beta = .34, p =.002) and (b) promotion (beta =.28, p =.01). The second model explained 13% of the total variance in job satisfaction among Jewish social workers, with two factors emerging as significant predictors of job satisfaction: (a) quality of supervision (beta = .25, p =.002) and (b) autonomy (beta = .21, p =.01). Canonical correlation analysis was conducted to estimate a model that best predicts job satisfaction, burnout, and turnover among Israeli social workers in general. The results indicated that higher satisfaction, lower level of burnout, and lower level of turnover were a function of good relationships between colleagues, higher quality of supervision, greater opportunities for promotion, greater comfort, and being Jewish. These variables together explained 54% of the total variance in job satisfaction, burnout, and turnover (R =.74). Overall, the results of both the multiple regression and canonical correlations emphasize the importance of work relationships (supervisors and colleagues), working conditions (autonomy and comfort), and promotion for Israeli social workers. The results have implications for social work policy practice. The implications, as well as limitations of the study and recommendations for further research, are discussed.
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