The Mediating Effect of Psychological Capital in the Relationship Between Personality Characteristics and Job Satisfaction: A Research on Public Employees in Kırşehir Province

Abstract

Purpose – The aim of the study is to investigate whether psychological capital plays an mediator role in the relationship between five factor personality traits and job satisfaction on public employees working in Kırşehir.

Design/methodology/approach – While creating the research model, in the light of the relevant literature, the psychological capital tool was determined as a variable in the effect of personality traits on job satisfaction. The sample of the research consists of public employees working in Kırşehir. Questionnaire technique was used as a data collection tool in the research. A questionnaire was applied to 391 public employees working in Kırşehir Province. Obtained data were analyzed through a suitable statistical analysis program, and correlation and multiple regression analyzes were included.

Findings – According to the results of the regression analysis,  the agreeableness dimension, which is a sub-dimension of the five factor personality traits, has a positive and significant effect on the external job satisfaction dimension. In addition, emotional balance, which is one of the sub-dimensions of five-factor personality traits, has a negative and significant effect on psychological capital, while the dimension of extraversion has a positive and significant effect. Psychological capital has positive effects on internal and external job satisfaction dimensions. In terms of the mediation effect, it was observed that there was a full mediation effect of psychological capital between the five factor personality traits, emotional stability and

extraversion, and internal job satisfaction, while the psychological capital had a partial mediation effect in the compatibility dimension, which is another personality trait sub-dimension. Again, regarding the compatibility dimension, psychological capital has a partial mediation effect in the relationship of this dimension with external job satisfaction. In terms of general job satisfaction, psychological capital has a full mediating effect in the extraversion sub-dimension, while it has a partial mediation effect in the compatibility sub-dimension.

Discussion – The mediating effect of psychological capital in the effect of personality traits on job satisfaction has been revealed as a result of the research. In this context, the implementation of practices that will increase the psychological capital of employees will increase their level of job satisfaction. It is recommended that managers implement these practices.