Predicting meaning of work and organizational commitment across age groups

Abstract

Background: This study examines the predictive value of job demands and resources on Meaning of work and Organizational commitment across three different age groups; young workers (< 30 years), middle aged workers (30-49 years) and older workers (> 50 years). Methods: Data was collected from a survey of employees at a Norwegian university (N= 5637). Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to test the relationship between the antecedent variables and Meaning of work and Organizational commitment in the three age groups separately. Age differences in the experience of these two variables were tested by one-way ANOVA. Findings: In general, both job demands and resources are related to Meaning of work and Organizational commitment. However, the relative importance of demands and resource varied across the different age groups.Overall, older workers reported highest scores on Meaning of work and Organizational commitment. Discussion: Differences in the antecedents of Meaning of work and Organizational commitment across age groups suggest that different interventions should be considered when aiming to improve meaning of work and organizational commitment among younger, middle aged and older workers.