Award Date

5-15-2026

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Educational Psychology, Leadership, and Higher Education

First Committee Member

Bradley Marianno

Second Committee Member

Megan Griffard

Third Committee Member

Omolola Odejimi

Fourth Committee Member

Peter Wiens

Number of Pages

121

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between principal perceived job autonomy and principal job satisfaction through the lens of Self-Determination Theory. Specifically, it addresses the research question: What is the relationship between principal autonomy and principal job satisfaction? Using bivariate correlations and Ordinary Least Squares regression analyses, the study investigated overall and domain-specific autonomy, including human resources, instructional leadership, facilities, and finance, and their association with overall and subscale measures of job satisfaction including salary, promotion, supervision, benefits, contingent rewards, working conditions, coworkers, the work itself, and communication. Findings indicate a positive and statistically significant correlation between perceived job autonomy and job satisfaction within the principalship. Furthermore, the relationship remained robust when controlling for other variables. Significant relationships were observed across all autonomy subscales and most job satisfaction subscales, with the exception of fringe benefits, coworkers, and nature of the work. These results suggest that perceived autonomy is a key factor influencing principal job satisfaction and highlight the importance of supporting autonomy within educational leadership roles.

Keywords

educational leadership; job satisfaction; principal attrition; principal autonomy; principal perceptions; principal retention

Disciplines

Educational Administration and Supervision | Educational Leadership | Educational Psychology

File Format

PDF

File Size

1130 KB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

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