Personality Traits as a Predictor of Job Satisfaction among Student-Teachers in Ghana

Abstract

Personality traits of teachers have enormous contributions to the way they accept their professions and how satisfied they become. This is a cross-sectional survey among student-teachers in a University in Ghana. A total of one hundred and forty-four (144) students participated in the survey. An online questionnaire was used to collect primary data for the study. Frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation and multiple linear regression were employed as the primary statistical tools for the study. It was found that student-teachers’ report moderate level of job satisfaction. It was also established that the dominant personality trait of student-teachers is openness. Openness had positive predictive strength on student-teachers’ job satisfaction while neuroticism predicted negatively the levels of job satisfaction of student-teachers. Based on the findings, the study concluded that openness and neuroticism predicted job satisfaction of student-teachers in Ghana. It was recommended that Teacher Unions in Ghana should prioritize teacher security and safety for their members by acquiring landed properties such as land, vehicles, etc. They can also play advocacy role by liaising with the government to enroll members onto high yielding provident funds. Educational Supervisors should continue to provide the pre-tertiary teacher with clinical supervision, focusing on teacher professional development. Headteachers should organise standard case conferences, in-service training, and others for teachers to enhance their Openness traits.