Relative deprivation and job satisfaction in Army officers: A moderated mediation model.

BACKGROUND: Despite income growth and improvement in Chinese soldiers' social status, indicators related to occupational well-being have not improved significantly, such as job satisfaction and occupational commitment.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the mediating effect of occupational commitment on the relationship between relative deprivation and job satisfaction in Chinese Army officers. Additionally, the moderating effect of career calling was also explored.

METHODS: 245 army officers (184 male, 61 female) in a short-term training class were recruited as participants and completed questionnaires that measured relative deprivation, occupational commitment, career calling, and job satisfaction. Multivariate regression analysis, bootstrap test, Sobel test, and path analysis were adopted to test the moderated mediating effect.

RESULTS: Multivariate regression analysis showed that occupational commitment partially mediated the relationship between relative deprivation and job satisfaction. The results of the bootstrap estimation procedure and subsequent analyses indicated that the indirect effect of relative deprivation on job satisfaction was significant. Additionally, career calling significantly alleviated the effects of relative deprivation on occupational commitment and job satisfaction. Path analysis showed the moderated mediating model fit the data well.

CONCLUSIONS: Occupational commitment partially mediates the effect of relative deprivation on job satisfaction, and career calling can moderate the effects of relative deprivation on occupational commitment and job satisfaction in Army officers.