Date of Award
1-1-2011
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Organizational Unit
Graduate School of Social Work
First Advisor
Cathryn C. Potter, Ph.D.
Second Advisor
Inna Altschul
Third Advisor
Daniel S. Brisson
Fourth Advisor
Nicole Nicotera
Keywords
Child welfare, Job retention, Vicarious trauma
Abstract
This dissertation study examined the relationship between vicarious traumatization and job retention among 1,192 child welfare professionals in five different child welfare organizations. Propositions from Constructivist Self Development Theory (CSDT) were utilized to examine the differential factors influencing the impact of vicarious trauma on child welfare professionals' intent to leave their organization, including coping strategies, professional efficacy, and professional satisfaction. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to assess the degree of fit between the observed data and several hypothesized theoretical models examining the relationship between vicarious trauma, coping strategies, professional efficacy, professional satisfaction, and retention. Findings from SEM analyses revealed a significant relationship between vicarious traumatization and intent to leave, as mediated by professional efficacy and professional satisfaction. This finding indicated that child welfare professionals who experienced higher rates of vicarious traumatization were more likely to leave their organization. Implications of these findings for theory, research, and social work practice are delineated.
Publication Statement
Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.
Rights Holder
Jennifer S. Middleton
Provenance
Received from ProQuest
File Format
application/pdf
Language
en
File Size
119 p.
Recommended Citation
Middleton, Jennifer S., "The Relationship Between Vicarious Traumatization and Job Retention Among Child Welfare Professionals" (2011). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 878.
https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd/878
Copyright date
2011
Discipline
Social Work