An exploration of educational psychologists’ views of their role and job satisfaction

• Main Author: Willdridge, Katie
• Published: Cardiff University 2013
• Subjects: BF Psychology
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.585268

Literature relating to the role of the educational psychologist (EP) suggests that the profession has been experiencing role conflict in recent years (Boyle & Lauchlan, 2009). The profession has also been experiencing changes, which have resulted in redundancies and budget cuts within Local Authorities (Association of Educational Psychologists; AEP, 2011). The aim of the current study is to explore EPs’ current perceptions of their job role and job satisfaction. Research has shown the importance of job role for an individual’s wellbeing (Ford, 2001) and how job role can have an impact on one’s job satisfaction (Cuhadar, 2008). Research has also shown that employee job satisfaction is linked to client job satisfaction (Collins et al., 2008). Consequently, since EPs work with vulnerable individuals, it is important to maintain and increase EPs’ job satisfaction. Fourteen EPs from 6 Welsh LAs’ were asked semi-structured, open-ended questions about their current job role and job satisfaction. The data were analysed using thematic analysis, and eight main themes emerged; difficulty defining the EP role, varied role of the EP, negative aspects of the EP role, positive aspects of the EP role, desired changes to the EP the role, EPs’ definition of job satisfaction, extrinsic factors to improve EP job satisfaction and intrinsic factors to improve EP job satisfaction. Each main theme had sub themes. This resulted in various implications and recommendations for the profession.