Development and psychometric properties of the temporal job satisfaction scale (TJSS)

BackgroundJob satisfaction is a key determinant of employee well-being and organizational performance. However, most existing measures assess it as a static construct, overlooking its dynamic and temporal nature.ObjectivesTo address this gap, the aim of this study was to develop the Temporal Job Satisfaction Scale (TJSS), a new instrument designed to evaluate job satisfaction across past, present, and future dimensions.MethodsThe TJSS was developed by adapting positively balanced items from the Job Satisfaction Scale to three temporal frames, yielding a 9-item measure. The scale was administered to 245 Italian workers, alongside measures of life satisfaction, self-efficacy, and self-reported job performance.ResultsConfirmatory factor analyses (CFA) supported a bifactor model comprising one general factor and three orthogonal temporal dimensions. Internal consistency was high for all subscales and for the overall score. TJSS scores correlated positively with life satisfaction, self-efficacy, and performance. Structural equation modeling (SEM) results supported an indirect-effects model, with job satisfaction mediating the links between self-efficacy and both job performance and life satisfaction.ConclusionsThe TJSS provides initial evidence of reliability and validity and represents a theoretically grounded tool for capturing the temporal complexity of job satisfaction. Its dynamic structure enables a more nuanced understanding of employee experiences over time and highlights the motivational role of self-efficacy in shaping satisfaction and performance. The scale holds promise for both organizational research and practical interventions.