Factors affecting child welfare and protection workers' intention to quit: a cross-sectional study from Norway

Human Resources for Health

Research

Anita Iversen¹  Kristel Høie Nilsen²  Camilla Lauritzen²  Svein Arild Vis² 

[1] Centre for Faculty Development, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway;RKBU Institute, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, PO Box 6050, Langnes, 9037, Tromsø, Norway;

关键词: Child welfare;    Child advocacy;    Burnout;    Intention;    Personnel turnover;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12960-023-00829-1

 received in 2022-11-23, accepted in 2023-05-25,  发布年份 2023

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

IntroductionHigh turnover rates have been a problem for Norwegian child welfare and protection services for years. The main aim of this study was to identify which factors affect Norwegian child welfare and protection (CWP) workers intention to quit their job and whether there is a difference between experienced (< 3 years) and less experienced workers.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was performed among 225 Norwegian child welfare and protection workers. Data were collected using a self-report questionnaire. Turnover intention was examined using a variety of job demands and resources as possible predictors. T tests were used to study mean differences in variable scores between experienced and less experienced workers and linear regression analysis was employed determining predictors of intention to quit.ResultsFor the total sample (N = 225) the most important predictors for intention to quit were workload, burnout, engagement, and views on leadership. Higher emotional exhaustion and cynicism, and low professional efficacy predicted a higher score on the intention to quit scale. High engagement and leadership satisfaction predicted lower scores. The effect of workload was moderated, such that intention to quit among less experienced workers increased more with high workload than it did among more experienced child welfare workers.ConclusionsThe conclusions are that job demands affect experienced and less experienced CWP workers differently and that when designing preventive efforts to reduce turnover this must be considered.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s) 2023