Abstract
Good health, good care: Exploring the mental health and work engagement of the early childhood workforce
Proceedings of the 9th Industrial and Organisational Psychology (IOP) Conference, p.90
Industrial and Organisational Psychology (IOP) Conference: Connectivity in a dynamic world, 9th (Brisbane, Australia, 23-Jun-2011–26-Jun-2011)
2011
Abstract
Quality child care benefits both parents and children, providing parents with the opportunity to work and children the opportunity to learn and develop. However, depression and turnover can disrupt the care that children receive. The current study examined the mental health, work satisfaction and engagement and turnover intentions of early childhood employees involved in a longitudinal study on quality in early childhood education and care services. Teachers and carers volunteered to complete online surveys about their workplaces, which included long day care services, kindergartens and family day care providers. The participants were mostly satisfied with their jobs and motivated to stay in work that they felt was a long term career, despite early childhood work usually having low paid and prestige. Qualifications and working hours were not significant predictors of intention to stay in their current jobs, whereas positive work affect, as stimulating, enjoyable work was strongly linked to retention and less depression. The participants were engaged in their work which highlights possible areas for interventions to support and retain less engaged staff.
Details
- Title
- Good health, good care: Exploring the mental health and work engagement of the early childhood workforce
- Authors
- Prudence M Millear (Author) - Queensland University of TechnologyK T Thorpe (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
- Contributors
- N L Jimmleson (Editor)N M Ashkanasy (Editor)L M Bradley (Editor)
- Publication details
- Proceedings of the 9th Industrial and Organisational Psychology (IOP) Conference, p.90
- Conference details
- Industrial and Organisational Psychology (IOP) Conference: Connectivity in a dynamic world, 9th (Brisbane, Australia, 23-Jun-2011–26-Jun-2011)
- Publisher
- Australian Psychological Society Ltd.
- Date published
- 2011
- ISBN
- 9780909881504
- Organisation Unit
- School of Social Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Engage Research Lab; School of Health - Psychology; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99449229702621
- Output Type
- Abstract
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