A1 Journal article (refereed)
Psychophysical burden and lack of support : Reasons for care workers’ intentions to leave their work in the Nordic countries (2022)
Van Aerschot, L., Mathew Puthenparambil, J., Olakivi, A., & Kröger, T. (2022). Psychophysical burden and lack of support : Reasons for care workers’ intentions to leave their work in the Nordic countries. International Journal of Social Welfare, 31(3), 333-346. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijsw.12520
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Van Aerschot, Lina; Mathew Puthenparambil, Jiby; Olakivi, Antero; Kröger, Teppo
Journal or series: International Journal of Social Welfare
ISSN: 1369-6866
eISSN: 1468-2397
Publication year: 2022
Publication date: 30/11/2021
Volume: 31
Issue number: 3
Pages range: 333-346
Publisher: Wiley
Publication country: United Kingdom
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ijsw.12520
Publication open access: Not open
Publication channel open access:
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/78896
Abstract
Long-term care of older adults is currently suffering from a shortage of trained personnel and high turnover rates. Care work is poorly paid, demanding, increasingly time-bound and both mentally and physically burdensome. In this study, we examined the individual, organisational and economic factors that predict professional care workers’ intentions to leave their current employment, using the NORDCARE survey data (2015, N = 3801) collected in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. The respondents were mainly practical and assistant nurses. The analysis showed that the predictors of intentions to leave were similar in the four countries. The most consistent organisational predictors of leaving intentions were related to psychophysical burden and a lack of supervisor support. Younger age also predicted intentions to leave. To break the vicious circle of burdensome work and high turnover, care workers need sufficient resources and support to conduct their work properly.
Keywords: nursing (work); care sector; staff; nursing staff; health care personnel; practical nurses; practical nurses; care for the elderly; institutions for elderly care; older people; long-term care; working life; well-being at work; changing jobs; labour turnover; labour demand; need for labour; psychophysiology
Free keywords: care work; leaving intentions; long- term care; older adults; psychophysical burden
Contributing organizations
Related projects
- Centre of Excellence in Research on Ageing and Care
- Kröger, Teppo
- Research Council of Finland
Ministry reporting: Yes
Reporting Year: 2022
JUFO rating: 2