An individual's correspondence preference as related to work-related complaints, neuroticism, and job satisfaction

Abstract

The purposes of the study were (a) to establish some discriminate validity for the Internal-External Correspondence Scale by comparing participants' responses on a measure of extraversion and a measure of locus of control to participants' responses on the Internal-External Correspondence Scale, and (b) to see if an individual's relative correspondence preference was related to an individual's endorsement of external work-related complaints. Individual were asked to complete six paper and pencil measures at one time.

Participants in this study were 59 individuals enrolled in graduate classes at a private teachers' college in South Carolina. Questionnaires were distributed to 140 individuals and 59 of these individuals returned questionnaires for a response rate of 42%. The participants were 90% female and 54% were teachers. Data analysis included Pearson correlations and descriptive statistics.

Results suggested that correspondence preference is a personality construct which is independent of extraversion and locus of control and that correspondence preference may function as a moderator variable. Individuals with a preference for external correspondence had a characteristic pattern of significant correlations which was theoretically consistent as did individuals with a preference for internal correspondence. Significant differences between the correlation coefficients for the two groups were not demonstrated perhaps because of the small sample size.

Discussion pointed out that the Internal-External Correspondence Scale needs further study. Behavioral correlates for several of the measures need to be established.