Final answer:
The reported correlation of -1.76 is not possible as correlation coefficients range from -1 to 1. A negative correlation within this range would suggest an inverse relationship between years worked and loneliness. Sociological studies link job satisfaction to control over work, autonomy, and social support.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correlation coefficient between the number of years working for a company and loneliness at work, indicated as -1.76, is not possible because correlation coefficients range between -1 and 1. Thus, there seems to be an error in the reported correlation value. A valid negative correlation would suggest that as the number of years working increases, feelings of loneliness at the workplace decrease, indicating an inverse relationship.
Studies in the field of sociology and work psychology, such as those by Kohn et al. (1990) and Sunyal et al. (2011), have shown that various factors contribute to job satisfaction and the social aspects of a workplace. These include the degree of control over one's work, participation in decision-making, autonomy from surveillance, and feeling integral to work outcomes. A high level of stress and perceived risk can predict lower job satisfaction.
Moreover, social support has been found to be a significant factor affecting overall health and well-being. As evidenced by the research of Berkman & Syme (1979) and later by Holt-Lunstad et al. (2010), a good social network can decrease mortality rates and is comparable in effect to quitting smoking and other well-known health risks.