Measuring the Impact of Public Perceptions on Child Welfare Workers

Authors

Catherine K. Lawrence, SUNY Albany
Wendy Zeitlin, Montclair State UniversityFollow
Charles Auerbach, Yeshiva University
Sreyashi Chakravarty, SUNY Albany
Shauna Rienks, University of Denver

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-8-2019

Journal / Book Title

Journal of Public Child Welfare

Abstract

The Public Perceptions of Child Welfare Scale measures how the social environment influences child welfare workers, including their job satisfaction and intent to leave. Psychometric studies have validated the scale for private child welfare workers, but there are no validation studies with public agency staff. This study fills that gap, showing stigma and respect are important constructs that also predict worker intent to leave. This research found an additional construct, blame, which was not present in private worker validation studies. The scale provides an important tool for the field as we continue to build evidence for effective recruitment and retention.

DOI

10.1080/15548732.2018.1508537

MSU Digital Commons Citation

Lawrence, Catherine K.; Zeitlin, Wendy; Auerbach, Charles; Chakravarty, Sreyashi; and Rienks, Shauna, "Measuring the Impact of Public Perceptions on Child Welfare Workers" (2019). Department of Social Work and Child Advocacy Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works. 77.
https://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/social-work-and-child-advocacy-facpubs/77

Published Citation

Lawrence, C. K., Zeitlin, W., Auerbach, C., Chakravarty, S., & Rienks, S. (2019). Measuring the impact of public perceptions on child welfare workers. Journal of Public Child Welfare, 13(4), 401-418.