How Overtime Work and Leisure Time Utilization Affects Contemporary Youth's Job Satisfaction: An Empirical Analysis Based on CGSS2021 Data

The precipitous growth of the economy and society has ushered in significant alterations to the job satisfaction of youth. Based on the analysis of CGSS questionnaire data, the income level, patterns of overtime work, and the availability of emotional support are identified as the most significant factors influencing the job satisfaction of youth in the contemporary era. Overtime work does not inherently lead to job dissatisfaction among youth; it is the absence of compensation with time off for these extra hours that significantly affects their job satisfaction. A strong emotional support network acts as a safety valve, enhancing the resilience of young workers to professional challenges and helping to mitigate job dissatisfaction. This finding challenges the traditional view that overtime is essential for youth job satisfaction, suggesting instead that providing young workers with ample leisure time and a robust social support system is vital for improving their job satisfaction.