Congruence of real and ideal job characteristics: A focus on sex, parenthood status, and extrinsic characteristics

Current theory, conceptualized almost exclusively in terms of the work setting, has assumed that intrinsic job characteristics are most relevant for workers' job satisfaction. A recent emphasis, however, on the interrelatedness of the nonwork and work domains suggests a need to reevaluate the importance of extrinsic job characteristics in workers' lives. Intrinsic and extrinsic job characteristics were studied in relation to perceived real-ideal job characteristic congruence for a sample of male and female full-time lawyers. In keeping with a focus on nonwork influences, two types of extrinsic characteristic were delineated: those related solely to the job, and those related to the work/parenting intersection. Results indicate that sex differences exist in perceived real-ideal congruence even when variables known to covary with sex in the work setting are controlled. The relevance to perceived real-ideal congruence of extrinsic job characteristics, and especially those related to the work/parenting intersection, appears clear from the results of this study.