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 editorsVan Aerschot, Lina; Mathew Puthenparambil, Jiby; Olakivi, Antero; Kröger, Teppo

Journal or seriesInternational Journal of Social Welfare

ISSN1369-6866

eISSN1468-2397

Publication year2022

Publication date30/11/2021

Volume31

Issue number3

Pages range333-346

PublisherWiley

Publication countryUnited Kingdom

Publication languageEnglish

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1111/ijsw.12520

Publication open accessNot 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.


Keywordsnursing (work)care sectorstaffnursing staffhealth care personnelpractical nursespractical nursescare for the elderlyinstitutions for elderly careolder peoplelong-term careworking lifewell-being at workchanging jobslabour turnoverlabour demandneed for labourpsychophysiology

Free keywordscare work; leaving intentions; long- term care; older adults; psychophysical burden


Contributing organizations


Related projects


Ministry reportingYes

Reporting Year2022

JUFO rating2


Last updated on 2024-26-03 at 09:20