Resident-Centered Job Satisfaction and Turnover Intent Among Direct Care Workers in Assisted Living

Abstract

Long-term care in the United States has been plagued with high turnover among direct care workers (DCWs). Previous qualitative and descriptive studies have suggested that resident-centered job satisfaction deters DCW turnover. Related DCW recruitment strategies have also been promoted. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of resident-centered job satisfaction on DCW turnover intent, a proven predictor of actual turnover. Using content analysis, t tests, χ2 tests, and logistic regression analyses, the author analyzes both qualitative and quantitative data from a survey of 722 DCWs at 108 assisted living facilities. Qualitative analyses indicate that for some DCWs, resident-centered job satisfaction deters turnover intent. The quantitative analyses, however, show that resident-centered job satisfaction has no effect on turnover intent, except that DCWs with high resident-centered job satisfaction are less likely to apply for another job in long-term care. In addition to policy implications, theoretical implications related to psychic income, prisoner of love, and caring labor are discussed.