The Relationship between Teachers’ Job Satisfaction and Loneliness at the Workplace

Problem Statement : Emotional circumstances of the teachers are one of the most significant variables that determine their professional efforts and performance. In this context, some the research has shown that teachers’ job satisfaction and loneliness at the school both have unique aspects. Gradually raising interest on loneliness and job satisfaction of teachers has brought a new question on whether there is a significant relationship between teachers’ job satisfaction and loneliness at school. Purpose of the Study : The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the job satisfaction of the teachers working in the primary schools and their loneliness at work. Method : This quantitative study was designed as correlational research design. The participants of the study consist of 369 teachers teaching in elementary schools in Istanbul. The correlations between the dimensions of loneliness at work and job satisfaction was determined with simple linear correlation test. And the prediction level of emotional deprivation and social companionship to intrinsic job satisfaction and extrinsic job satisfaction were determined with multiple linear regression test. Findings : The results of the study have indicated that there was significant and negative correlation between dimensions of loneliness at work and job satisfaction of teachers. The results of regression analysis indicated that emotional deprivation and social companionship together had a significant relationship with the intrinsic satisfaction. And the social companionship was the significant predictor of intrinsic satisfaction. Besides, it is found that emotional deprivation and social companionship together had a significant relationship with the extrinsic satisfaction and only the social companionship was the significant predictor of extrinsic satisfaction. Conclusion and Recommendations : As a result, in order that the schools may reach the determined objectives, the teachers’ performances can be said to be very important. In order to increase the teachers’ performances, it is necessary to increase the job satisfaction. In the researches carried out, it was determined that there was a relationship between the teachers’ job satisfaction and the extent of social friendship at the workplace. In case such relationships are adverse, the loneliness at workplace reveals. Therefore, in order to enable to increase the productivity of the organization due to the increase of the teachers’ performances, it is necessary to prevent teachers from falling into loneliness in schools by supporting the extent of social friendship which is an extent of the job satisfaction.