Predictors of Job Satisfaction and Turnover Intention in VHA Mental Health Employees: A Comparison Between Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Social Workers, and Mental Health Nurses

Abstract

This exploratory study compared job satisfaction and turnover intention among psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and mental health nurses in the Veterans Health Administration, focusing on four predictors: civility, procedural justice, autonomy, and psychological safety. A sample of 11,726 VHA mental health employees was used. Results of the structural equation modeling showed that, for all occupations, civility, procedural justice, and autonomy predicted job satisfaction, which in turn predicted turnover intention. Psychological safety directly predicted turnover intention, a unique finding to this study. There were, however, no differences in the predictors across occupations. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.