Work/family variables influencing the marital satisfaction of Tennessee Extension Agents
Date Issued
May 2001
Author(s)
University of Tennessee at Knoxville
Advisor(s)
Michael Lane Morris
Additional Advisor(s)
Priscilla Blanton, Reggie High
Priscilla Blanton
Reggie High$$sl-0
Abstract
This study will explore the relationship between the work and family life of County Extension Agents employed by The University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service. The purpose of the study is to examine how the job characteristics of Extension work affect the agents' family lives. Specifically, the focus will be on how work, parental, and life satisfaction influences the marital satisfaction of Extension Agents in Tennessee. All 539 Extension Agents employed by The University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service were selected to be invited to participate in this study, including specialists and administrators. The participants were mailed a cover
letter explaining the purpose of the study, a letter of support from the Dean of the Extension Service, a consent form, a questionnaire, and a self-addressed stamped envelope for returning the questionnaire.
Analyses used in this research included descriptive statistics, t-tests, stepwise regression using backward selection, univariate analysis, Mann-Whitney and KruskalWallis non-parametric tests and Pearson’s correlations. It was found that the marital satisfaction of Tennessee Extension Agents as measured by the KMSS showed no significant gender differences. The areas of employment responsibility was not found to be a predictor of marital satisfaction. The life satisfaction scores of the Agents was the only predictor for marital satisfaction. Marital satisfaction was not predicted by the selected demographic variables including job title, gender, income, employment responsibility, years in present position, length of marital status, age, and education. Agents who had children was the only demographic variable that predicted marital satisfaction.
In conclusion, data analysis procedures in this study indicated that Tennessee Extension Agents’ marital satisfaction could be significantly predicted by a reduced model for life satisfaction and parental status.
Degree
Masters of Science
Major
Human Ecology
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Thesis2001M38.pdf
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