Gender differences in the association of a high quality job and self-esteem over time: A multiwave study

Abstract

High self-esteem often predicts job-related outcomes, such as high job satisfaction or high status. Theoretically, high quality jobs (HQJs) should be important for self-esteem, as they enable people to use a variety of skills and attribute accomplishments to themselves, but research findings are mixed. We expected reciprocal relationships between self-esteem and HQJ. However, as work often is more important for the status of men, we expected HQJ to have a stronger influence on self-esteem for men as compared to women. Conversely, task-related achievements violate gender stereotypes for women, who may need high selfesteem to obtain HQJs. In a 4-year cross-lagged panel analysis with 325 young workers, self-esteem predicted HQJ; the lagged effect from HQJ on self-esteem was marginally significant. In line with the hypotheses, the multigroup model showed a significant path only from self-esteem to HQJ for women, and from HQJ to self-esteem for men. The reverse effect was not found for women, and only marginally significant for men. Overall, although there were some indications for reciprocal effects, our findings suggest that women need high self-esteem to obtain HQJs to a greater degree than men, and that men base their self-esteem on HQJs to a greater extent than women. Keywords: Autonomy; Skill variety; High quality job; Self-esteem; Gender differences; Cross-lagged panel analysis.Arguably, self-esteem is among the attributes that many people would like to have (Orth, Robins, & Widaman, 2012). It features prominently among aspects of highly satisfying life experiences (Sheldon, Elliot, Kim, & Kasser, 2001), and many people react rather strongly when their self-esteem is threatened (Sedikides & Strube, 1997). Although there are downsides to having high self-esteem (cf. Baumeister, Campbell, Krueger, & Vohs, 2003), overall, high self-esteem tends to be associated with other positive characteristics. Thus, people with higher self-esteem tend to be more satisfied with their jobs and their relationship, and to have better health, both in terms of physical health and in terms of mental health (Orth et al., 2012). Some studies also find higher occupational status and salaries for people with high self-esteem (Kammeyer-Mueller, Judge, & Piccolo, 2008;Kuster, Orth, & Meier, 2013).Several studies report effects of self-esteem on the health, satisfaction, and status variables mentioned, but no, or weak effects from these variables on self-esteem (Kammeyer-Mueller et al., 2008;Orth et al., 2012). Theoretically, however, there are good reasons to assume effects of one's environment on self-esteem; specifically, high quality work in terms of being able to use a variety of skills and having a high degree of autonomy is likely to promote feelings of mastery and autonomy and hence positively affect self-esteem (cf. Barling, Kelloway, & Iverson, 2003;Pierce & Gardner, 2004). As a consequence, one would expect reciprocal effects between high quality work and self-esteem, and a few studies did find such effects (e.g., Schooler & Oat...

Higher Education in Switzerland: Predictors of Becoming Engaged in Higher Vocational or Higher Academic Education – The Role of Workplace Factors

“…This questionnaire is based on the job diagnostic survey (Hackman & Oldham, 1975), an instrument to assess social support (Frese & Zapf, 1987) and an instrument for stress-related work analyses (Semmer, 1984). These sub-scales are relevant for learning at work (Kammermann, Stalder, & Hättich, 2011;Keller, Meier, Gross, & Semmer, 2015;Nägele, 2013;Stalder & Carigiet Reinhard, 2014).…”

From childhood to young adulthood: the importance of self-esteem during childhood for occupational achievements among young men and women

“…Keller et al (2015) found self-esteem to be positively correlated with obtaining highquality jobs, but this relationship was only true for women. Keller et al (2015) interpreted their results as being linked to gender stereotypes in society, where it was more important for women than men to be 'liked' by others. Thus, according to the gendered beliefs in society, men are stereotypically seen as competitive and dominant, while women are seen as nurturing and socially competent (Keller et al 2015;Wood and Eagly 2012).…”

“…Women/girls also tend to be judged based on their physical appearance to a higher degree than men/boys (Jones and Crawford 2006). Keller et al (2015) found self-esteem to be positively correlated with obtaining highquality jobs, but this relationship was only true for women. Keller et al (2015) interpreted their results as being linked to gender stereotypes in society, where it was more important for women than men to be 'liked' by others.…”

“…Keller et al (2015) interpreted their results as being linked to gender stereotypes in society, where it was more important for women than men to be 'liked' by others. Thus, according to the gendered beliefs in society, men are stereotypically seen as competitive and dominant, while women are seen as nurturing and socially competent (Keller et al 2015;Wood and Eagly 2012). In addition, as competitiveness and assertiveness often are valuable skills in prestigious occupations, they are more compatible with stereotypes about men (e.g.…”

Do Atypical Individuals Make Atypical Choices? Examining How Gender Patterns in Personality Relate to Occupational Choice and Wages Among Five Professions in Sweden

“…Individuals with high self-esteem and positive self-evaluations tend to have higher aspirations [28] and are more likely to apply for high-paying jobs [26] as well as more challenging jobs [28]. Finally, Keller et al [30] report that self-esteem is important for obtaining high quality jobs but only for women, suggesting that self-esteem is particularly pertinent to women's labor market opportunities. In sum, studies show that personality traits can explain part of the gender wage gap, but also that the valuation of certain traits can vary with both occupation and gender.…”