Factors affecting job satisfaction among home health aides

Background: Home health aides are front-line workers in delivering home health care. Job satisfaction among these important workers has been associated with patient health outcomes and quality of services. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study using the 2007 National Home Health Aides Survey, a nationally representative sample of home health aides (n = 3,274). Structural equation modeling was employed to examine the latent relationships between personal backgrounds, organizational factors, job related characteristics, and job satisfaction. Results: Most home health aides were positively satisfied with their jobs. At the personal level, increasing age, being separated/divorced versus other conditions, and personal health were positively associated with satisfaction. Structurally, health insurance and training were positively associated with job satisfaction. Being trusted, having confidence in one's ability, and supervisor quality were significantly associated with satisfaction. SEM analysis suggested that personal factors were positively associated with attitude (â = .03, p<.05) and attitude was positively associated with job satisfaction (â = .30, p <.05). In addition, there was positive relationship between support and job satisfaction (â = .12, p<.05). Organizational support was positively related to attitude (â = .16, p<.05). The final model was a good fit for the data (x^2= 725.63, df = 85, p = 0.0000, CFI = 0.94, RMSEA = 0.048, the standardized RMR = 0.053). Conclusions: We emphasize the importance of providing health insurance as an option for workers and providing training that workers perceive to have value. Linking training to professional recognition and promotion might also be valuable.