The Impact of Direct Support Professional Turnover on the Health and Safety of People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Abstract

Abstract Direct support professional (DSP) turnover significantly impacts both human service providers and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). This study explored how DSP turnover impacts people with IDD's health and safety. We analyzed secondary data regarding DSP turnover and health and safety (i.e., emergency room visits, incidents of abuse and neglect, injuries, and behavioral events) from a random sample of 251 people with IDD. Findings revealed, regardless of their support needs, people who experienced DSP turnover had more emergency room visits, experienced more instances of abuse and neglect, and had more injuries than people who did not experience DSP turnover. Our findings suggest extended tenure of DSPs can help promote the health and safety of people with IDD.