The Relationship of Gender Role Conflict and Job Satisfaction upon Organizational Commitment in Male Nurses

Abstract

Purpose: This study was to investigate the influence of male nurses’ gender role conflict and job satisfaction on their organizational commitment. Methods: Data were collected through a mixed method design using structured questionnaires (N=162) and a sequential qualitative interviews (N=8) from 2nd October, 2012 to 7th February, 2013. Data analysis included t-test, ANOVA, regression with SPSS/WIN 19.0 program and a qualitative thematic analysis. Results: Factors affecting participants’ organizational commitment were job satisfaction and marital status which accounted for 36.2% of the total variance. In particular, low job satisfaction was not correlated with low organizational commitment despite lower job satisfaction. Three main themes connoting meanings of ambivalence were extracted from the data: desiring for the better future in spite of the current difficulty, strengthening their masculinity in tandem with complementing femininity in the midst of gender role conflict, leading their organization at times, and enduring hard work with responsibility for raising their family as a head of household. Conclusion: The findings indicate that male nurses' adjustment to the organization is controlled by ambivalence. It is essential to understand sociocultural contexts of male nurses as a minority in nursing fields for further research.