Occupational therapy practitioners’ ratings of job satisfaction factors through a lens of social capital

While there is a body of knowledge regarding job satisfaction in occupational therapy, less is known about job satisfaction in occupational therapy through a lens of social capital. The purpose of this research was to investigate practitioners' rankings of 14 aspects of job satisfaction by gender, generation, therapist vs. manager, therapist vs. assistant, and experience. Participants (n = 112) recruited from attendees of a state association annual conference completed a short questionnaire. Relationships with other therapists on the rehab team, relationship with immediate supervisor or manager, and interprofessional teamwork, all reflective of social capital were highly ranked. Salary and benefits, more traditional area of focus in recruitment, were ranked lower. Given the incidence and implications of healthcare turnover, an awareness of social capital related to job satisfaction is valuable to practitioners and managers.