Investigating the Relationship between Job Satisfaction with Mental Health of Female Public Libraries Staff

Mental disorders associated with insomnia, depression and anxiety are common in the community and the workplace. Many studies have found a close link between mental health and job satisfaction. Many organizations emphasize importance of personnel as their most important asset. Advances and development of psychology science in recent decades, especially in health and job satisfaction among personnel of organizations, have had an important and effective contribution. of course, the satisfaction of the organization's stakeholders is of particular importance. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between job satisfaction and mental health of female employees of public libraries in Hamadan province.

The present study was descriptive-survey, in which the researcher tried to identify predictors related to mental health in employees of public libraries of Hamadan province by correlation method. This study was performed on 187 employees of public libraries in Hamadan province by census method. Data collection tools included Job Satisfaction Questionnaire by War et al. (1979) and Goldberg et al. (1979) Psychological Health Questionnaire. Their validity was tested through convergent validity testing, while their reliability was confirmed by calculating Cronbach’s alpha. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 21, and research hypotheses were examined step by step using Pearson correlation matrix and regression tests.

The results showed that all relationships were significant. Based on the results, between the two variables of job satisfaction and mental health (r = -0.44) at the level of 0.01 is significant, it can be concluded that there is a relationship between these two variables in employees of public libraries in Hamadan province. There is a significant inverse, and this inverse relationship is significant between its subscales (payroll system, job type, development opportunities, organizational climate, leadership style, and physical condition) and employee mental health. In other words, the higher these variables in the staff of public libraries in Hamadan province, the less their psychological problems (physical symptoms, anxiety, social dysfunction and depression) will be, and vice versa. Therefore, the hypothesis is confirmed. Among the six subscales of job satisfaction (payroll system, job type, career opportunities, organizational climate, leadership style and physical condition), two variables of payroll system and leadership style were more able to predict employee mental health changes, i.e., with more power. Based on these variables, the mental health of employees of public libraries in Hamadan province can be predicted. Therefore, by emphasizing job satisfaction and individual differences in the work environment, employees can improve their mental health and help the growth and development of society.

Based on the findings, the level of job satisfaction of employees from their work environment can be related to their mental health. Job satisfaction refers to a person's overall attitude toward his or her job, whether it is a situation in which people are satisfied with their job or other related circumstances, or a level of positive feelings and attitudes that people have about their job. Job satisfaction is a set of feelings and beliefs that people have about their current jobs. In this study, it was found that variables such as payment system and leadership style of managers in departments and organizations can greatly predict the mental health of employees. It seems that material problems and concerns and managers' attention to meeting these needs in their employees can reduce their psychological damage and create the ground for the growth and development of the organization and increase productivity. Also, leadership style based on respect, acceptance and value can greatly improve the mental health of employees in the workplace. Therefore, considering that job satisfaction has an important role in employees 'mental health, and without a doubt, employees' satisfaction with their job will increase their efficiency, customer satisfaction with the organization and increase production and productivity of the organization, which will undoubtedly result in organizational success. And the satisfaction of the employees of this department has an important role in attracting people to libraries and promoting the culture of reading and promoting the literacy of individuals. The prevalence of psychiatric morbidity in the workplace is high. The severity of psychological distress is negatively associated with job satisfaction. Early detection of psychiatric morbidity through self-administered screening questionnaires, as well as implementation of organizational mental-health promotion programs, is recommended to improve employees’ mental health and job satisfaction.