Final answer:
According to research, a job that involves learning new skills is positively related to psychological well-being and self-esteem. This is linked to the importance of job content, variety, and autonomy in contributing to job satisfaction and overall satisfaction with one's work.
Step-by-step explanation:
Research in the field of industrial and organizational psychology has found that certain work factors are positively related to an employee's psychological well-being and self-esteem. Specifically, jobs that involve learning new skills are related to higher job satisfaction, psychological well-being, and self-esteem. This links back to research by Saari & Judge (2004), which highlighted the importance of the work-content factor, including the variety and difficulty level of a job, as a strong predictor of overall job satisfaction. In contrast, aspects such as working limited hours, performing repetitive tasks, or excessive overtime do not have the same positive relationship. Kohn and his fellow researchers (1990) also found that autonomy, control over one's work, and being part of decision-making processes contribute to job satisfaction. Relationships with co-workers can also affect satisfaction, as networking and friendships at work can lead to better emotional well-being and productivity.