Job satisfaction in mental health organizations has been a neglected research topic, in spite of the fact that mental health organizations themselves are concerned with quality of life issues. To study job satisfaction at three long-term public psychiatric hospitals, the Job Satisfaction Index was administered to 44 direct service employees. In general, employees who were most satisfied: (1) worked in a decentralized hospital differentiated by a unit-program structure; (2) had professional job titles; (3) were over age 45; (4) were neither high nor low in education level; and (5) had been employed at the hospital either less than 4 or more than 10 years. Residents' change toward discharge readiness also raised satisfaction with work and co-workers. The findings suggest a need for further exploration of the relationship between job satisfaction and hospital organization structure. (Author/JAC)