Predictors of Job Satisfaction among Staff in Residential Settings for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities: A Comparison between Three Residential Models

Abstract

Background This cross‐sectional study aims to assess whether there are differences in staff job satisfaction, including organizational and individual characteristics, between three residential models for adults with intellectual disabilities (small residential home, group home and institution) and to investigate the organizational and individual variables associated with staff job satisfaction. Methods A standardized self‐administered questionnaire (Job Satisfaction Survey) was distributed together with demographic questions between April 2007 and June 2007. In total, 1301 staff members completed the questionnaire. Results We found that staff working at small homes had a significantly higher level of job satisfaction than staff from the other two models. Logistic regression revealed that the characteristics of the organizations at which they were employed rather than the staff’s individual characteristics were strongly associated with job satisfaction. Conclusion This study suggests that the residential model and the provider sector of the residential setting are the factors of concern when ensuring staff job satisfaction.

The human degree of care. Professional loving care for people with a mild intellectual disability: an explorative study

“…And in fact, recent research shows a supportive social network to be a critical factor for the successful integration of people with IDs into society (A. E. van Asselt-Goverts et al, unpublished data). This embedding must be stimulated by the management side of care that not only takes its care staff seriously but also represents a learning organisation that continually searches for the best possible care for both clients and staff (Longo & Scior 2004;Ching Chou et al 2010;Dilworth et al 2011). This statement reflects what our results show.…”

Perspectives on intellectual disability in Taiwan

“…Moreover, people with intellectual disability living in small residential homes experienced better outcomes at lower cost than persons living in medium-sized group homes or institutions [33]. In addition, staff working at small homes had a significantly higher level of job satisfaction than staff in other types of institutions; the characteristics of the residential setting are thus factors of concern when ensuring staff job satisfaction [34 ].…”

Job satisfaction and quality of life among home care workers: a comparison of home care workers who are and who are not informal carers

“…The "JSS-Taiwan version" has been used to study staff working in residential services for individuals with intellectual challenges or disabilities in Taiwan and yielded a Cronbach's α of 0.94, with values ranging from 0.61 to 0.81 at the domain level. Details of the JSS and its Taiwan version can be found in Chou et al (2010). In this study, of the 1,641 home care workers, a Cronbach's α of 0.87 was found, with values ranging from 0.44 to 0.72 at the domain level.…”

“…Additionally this can also function as a significant predictor of quality of service performance (Spector, 1985). Many Taiwanese studies have investigated staff job satisfaction among individuals working in hospitals, nursing homes and schools as nurses, educators, social workers and home care workers; significant factors associated with job satisfaction include individual characteristics and the work-related context (Hwu et al, 2003;Chung and Huang, 2005;Lin and Tseng, 2005;Chen et al, 2007;Lin, 2007;Xin, 2007;Yu et al, 2008;Chou et al, 2010) Consistent findings in Western literature suggest several factors or key dimensions related to job satisfaction among home care workers (Donovan, 1989;Donovan et al, 1993;Crown et al, 1995;Denton et al, 2002;Moyle et al, 2003;Fleming and Taylor, 2006;Ejaz et al, 2008;Sherman et al, 2008). Such factors fall into two main categories: the individual characteristics of the workers and job-related factors regarding work conditions.…”

“…Additionally this can also function as a significant predictor of quality of service performance (Spector, 1985). Many Taiwanese studies have investigated staff job satisfaction among individuals working in hospitals, nursing homes and schools as nurses, educators, social workers and home care workers; significant factors associated with job satisfaction include individual characteristics and the work-related context (Hwu et al ., 2003; Chung and Huang, 2005; Lin and Tseng, 2005; Chen et al ., 2007; Lin, 2007; Xin, 2007; Yu et al ., 2008; Chou et al ., 2010)…”