The Impact of Comparisons on the Satisfaction of Interscholastic Coaches of Girls’ Sports

According to previous work in the coaching field, job satisfaction has been found to be an important work related variable, critical to retention and turnover of female coaches [Chelladurai, P., and E. Ogasawara. (2003). “Satisfaction and Commitment of American and Japanese Collegiate Coaches.” Journal of Sport Management 17, 62–73; Sagas, M., and F.B. Ashley. (2001). “Gender Differences in the Intent to Leave Coaching: Testing the Role of Personal, External, and Work-Related Variables.” International Journal of Sport Management 2(4), 297–313]. The current study provides a better understanding of the work environment of coaches of girls’ sports by combining satisfaction and comparisons used in this process. Male and female coaches (n=202) employed full-time at Texas public high schools completed a questionnaire containing the Job Descriptive Index [Smith, P.C., L.M. Kendall, and C.C. Hulin. (1969). The Measurement of Satisfaction in Work and Retirement. New York: Rand McNally.], the Job In General (Ironson et al., 1997), a referent comparison instrument, and demographic information. The findings indicated significant satisfaction differences based on gender and comparison other. Copyright Springer Science + Business Media, Inc. 2005job satisfaction, coaching, referent comparisons, interscholastic,