Gender Inequality and Job Satisfaction in Senegal: A Multiple Mediation Model

Anna Fabry (), Goedele Broeck and Miet Maertens
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Anna Fabry: KU Leuven
Goedele Broeck: UC Louvain
Miet Maertens: KU Leuven

Journal of Happiness Studies, 2022, vol. 23, issue 5, No 25, 2311 pages

Abstract: Abstract Women are often found to be in inferior jobs with lower wages and lower job quality, but to report higher job satisfaction. This gender-job satisfaction paradox is documented for high-income countries and is explained by gender inequality in job quality and expectations. In this paper we document this paradox for a developing country. We explore the complex relationship between gender, job quality and job satisfaction among agro-industry workers in Senegal, using primary data from a comprehensive worker survey. We use a multiple mediation model to disentangle direct and indirect pathways through which gender relates to job satisfaction. We find that women’s job satisfaction is higher, despite earning lower wages, receiving fewer nonwage benefits, being more in casual employment, and working fewer hours than men. Moreover, job satisfaction varies more strongly with gender than with worker education, wages or other job quality characteristics. We find that gender inequality in job quality mitigates the positive relationship between gender and job satisfaction, with wage and nonwage benefits as major mediating variables. Our findings imply opposing direct and indirect gender effects on job satisfaction, and bring some nuance in the debate on how reducing gender inequality in job quality may affect women’s job satisfaction.

Keywords: Gender; Inequality; Decent work; Job quality; Job satisfaction; Developing country (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1007/s10902-022-00498-2

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