The Effect of Job Stress on Social Workers’ Job Satisfaction: Moderating Effect of Leader-Member Exchange (LMX

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to verify the moderating effect of the leader-member exchange relationship (LMX) in the relationship between job stress and job satisfaction in social workers. To this end, 500 social workers in the Jeonbuk area were surveyed using a self-administered questionnaire, and data from 240 of the 291 responses received were analyzed using the SPSS 25.0 statistical program. As a result, first, it was found that job stress of social workers had a negative (-) effect on job satisfaction. Second, the higher the leader-member exchange relationship (LMX), the higher the positive (+) effect on job satisfaction. Third, it was found that the negative (-) effect of job stress on job satisfaction changed more significantly in the group with a high leader-member exchange (LMX) of social workers than in the group with a low leader-member exchange (LMX). It was verified that it was effective. Based on the results of this study, practical alternatives were proposed to improve social workers' ability to cope with job stress and promote leader-member exchange (LMX) to improve job satisfaction. This study has significance in that it has been verified through a multifaceted review of social workers' job stress, job satisfaction, and leader-member exchange relationship (LMX).