Integration of job satisfaction into the Personal Wellbeing Index: analysis of psychometric properties and sociodemographic influences among employees of the Croatian Health Insurance Fund

Abstract

This study examines subjective wellbeing (SWB) among administrative staff of a Croatian universal health insurance coverage provider in a transitional economy, hypothesising a moderate spillover effect from job satisfaction to overall life satisfaction. Our aim was to assess the psychometric properties of a modified Personal Wellbeing Index that incorporates job satisfaction (PWI-J), evaluate sociodemographic influences, and validate the job satisfaction domain inclusion in the index. The hypothesis was tested on a convenience sample of 1,051 Croatian employees of the Croatian Health Insurance Fund who completed an anonymous online survey in 2018. Analyses encompassed descriptive statistics, reliability testing, correlations, ANOVA/MANOVA for sociodemographic effects, and exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The PWI-J exhibited high reliability (Cronbach's α=0.896), and its two-factor structure (material-practical and socioemotional wellbeing) explained 65 % of the variance. The mean PWI-J score was 65.01 on a 0–100 scale. Standard of living and future security received the lowest score (around 52) and relationships and community the highest (77–81). Spillover was confirmed (ρ=0.633, P<0.001). Compared to the Australian wellbeing triage ranges, participants reported lower economic satisfaction but stronger community ties, with higher education associated with better material outcomes, female gender with enhanced social satisfaction, and younger workers (19–34 years old) with higher socioemotional scores. Our findings underscore economic vulnerabilities balanced by social resilience and validate PWI-J for occupational health assessments. Recommendations include targeted interventions for lower-educated and older workers. Limitations encompass cross-sectional design, self-report bias, and limited generalisability. Future research should pursue longitudinal studies on possible mediators, such as resilience.