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The Roots of Job Satisfaction

Q: I'm interested in the factors that affect people's job satisfaction. What does research say?

A: An individual's attitude, plus external factors such as working conditions, pay, treatment by supervisors and the ability to find meaning in one's duties have long been seen as the primary factors in job satisfaction.

A growing number of employers provide training aimed at improving workers' attitudes, hiring coaches who draw on psychological research, ancient traditions such as meditation or yoga, or both to inspire a more positive state of mind.

Genetics also play a role, however. A tendency to hate your job runs in families, according to a 2011 study in the Journal of Applied Psychology.

People with a certain type of dopamine receptor gene, which has been tied to risk-taking, weak impulse control and attention deficit disorder, tend to be less satisfied with their jobs, says the study by researchers at the National University of Singapore.

People with a certain variation of the serotonin transporter gene, which has been linked to lower rates of depression and higher self-esteem, tend to be happier with their work, according to the research. Past studies of twins suggest that inherited traits may be responsible for about 27% of the variance in people's job satisfaction.

Write to Sue Shellenbarger at

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