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Beyond intent to leave: Using multiple outcome measures for assessing turnover in child welfare

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  • Hopkins, Karen M.
  • Cohen-Callow, Amy
  • Kim, Hae Jung
  • Hwang, Jeongha

Abstract

This study sought to provide a more comprehensive approach to assessing and predicting turnover in child welfare by utilizing established measures that go beyond "intent to leave" and capture a continuum of behaviors indicative of emotionally and physically withdrawing from work (job withdrawal, work withdrawal, job search behavior, and exit). Data collection was informed by a conceptual framework using previous research literature. Data was obtained from public agency databases and an online survey completed by 621 (56.5%) public child welfare employees across a diversified mid-Atlantic state with geographical and demographic representation. Hierarchical regression results confirm that a combination of individual, job/work, and organizational factors are related differentially to the various types of employee behaviors related to turnover. However, factors related to perceptions of the organizational climate explained significantly more variance in types of organizational withdrawal than personal or job characteristics. Employees' reports of "stress" (captured by emotional exhaustion, role overload, and role conflict) contributed more to job withdrawal, work withdrawal, job search behavior, and exit from the organization than any other factor. Armed with specific and predictive data related to types of organizational withdrawal, agency managers can become proactive in creating the conditions likely to enhance retention.

Suggested Citation

  • Hopkins, Karen M. & Cohen-Callow, Amy & Kim, Hae Jung & Hwang, Jeongha, 2010. "Beyond intent to leave: Using multiple outcome measures for assessing turnover in child welfare," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(10), pages 1380-1387, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:32:y:2010:i:10:p:1380-1387
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ellett, Alberta J. & Ellis, Jacquelyn I. & Westbrook, Tonya M. & Dews, Denise', 2007. "A qualitative study of 369 child welfare professionals' perspectives about factors contributing to employee retention and turnover," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(2), pages 264-281, February.
    2. Smith, Brenda D., 2005. "Job retention in child welfare: Effects of perceived organizational support, supervisor support, and intrinsic job value," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 27(2), pages 153-169, February.
    3. Ellett, Alberta J., 2009. "Intentions to remain employed in child welfare: The role of human caring, self-efficacy beliefs, and professional organizational culture," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(1), pages 78-88, January.
    4. DePanfilis, Diane & Zlotnik, Joan Levy, 2008. "Retention of front-line staff in child welfare: A systematic review of research," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(9), pages 995-1008, September.
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    1. Kim, Ahraemi & Mor Barak, Michàlle E., 2015. "The mediating roles of leader–member exchange and perceived organizational support in the role stress–turnover intention relationship among child welfare workers: A longitudinal analysis," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 135-143.
    2. Lawrence, Catherine & Claiborne, Nancy & Zeitlin, Wendy & Auerbach, Charles, 2016. "Finish what you start: A study of Design Team change initiatives' impact on agency climate," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 40-46.
    3. Hwang, Jeongha & Hopkins, Karen M., 2015. "A structural equation model of the effects of diversity characteristics and inclusion on organizational outcomes in the child welfare workforce," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 44-52.
    4. Boyas, Javier F. & Wind, Leslie H. & Ruiz, Erika, 2013. "Organizational tenure among child welfare workers, burnout, stress, and intent to leave: Does employment-based social capital make a difference?," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 35(10), pages 1657-1669.
    5. Radey, Melissa & Wilke, Dina J., 2023. "Extent, trajectory, and determinants of child welfare turnover and exit destinations," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    6. Claiborne, Nancy & Auerbach, Charles & Zeitlin, Wendy & Lawrence, Catherine K., 2015. "Climate factors related to intention to leave in administrators and clinical professionals," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 18-25.
    7. Li, Yong & Huang, Hui & Chen, Yi-Yi, 2020. "Organizational climate, job satisfaction, and turnover in voluntary child welfare workers," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    8. Chung, Youngsoon & Choo, Hyekyung, 2019. "A structural path to job satisfaction, burnout, and intent to leave among child protection workers: A South Korean study," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 304-312.
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    11. Chen, Yi-Yi & Park, Jisung & Park, Aely, 2012. "Existence, relatedness, or growth? Examining turnover intention of public child welfare caseworkers from a human needs approach," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 34(10), pages 2088-2093.
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    13. Lushin, Victor & Katz, Colleen C. & Julien-Chinn, Francie J. & Lalayants, Marina, 2023. "A burdened workforce: Exploring burnout, job satisfaction and turnover among child welfare caseworkers in the era of COVID-19," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 148(C).
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