Effects of Racial Incidents on Satisfaction with Military Life: Evidence from the Armed Forces Equal Opportunity Survey

摘要

This study examines the extent to which perceptions of the quality of race relations, racial incidents, and the handling of such incidents influence reported levels of satisfaction with military service using data from the Armed Forces Equal Opportunity Survey, released in November 1999. Racial incidents have a negative effect on satisfaction, but the effect is moderated if victims are satisfied with reporting and investigative processes. Unease in dealing with members of other groups and pressure to socialize with members of one's own racial/ethnic group adversely affects the equal opportunity climate in ways difficult to ameliorate through training activities. Efforts to diversity workplace demographics have modest positive effects. Confidence in a supervisor's fairness and commitment to creating a positive EO climate has a significant positive influence on satisfaction. In contrast to the summary information contained in the survey, racial/ethnic minorities generally express greater levels of satisfaction than Whites.