Title

Commitment of Licensed Social Workers to Aging Practice

Authors

Authors

K. Simons; R. Bonifas;D. Gammonley

Comments

Authors: contact us about adding a copy of your work at STARS@ucf.edu

Abbreviated Journal Title

Health Soc. Work

Keywords

gerontology; retention; training; workforce research; JOB-SATISFACTION; CHILD-WELFARE; OCCUPATIONAL COMMITMENT; NURSING-HOMES; OLDER-ADULTS; RETENTION; TURNOVER; LEAVE; CARE; Social Work

Abstract

This study sought to identify client, professional, and employment characteristics that enhance licensed social workers' commitment to aging practice. A series of binary logistic regressions were performed using data from 181 licensed, full-time social workers who reported aging as their primary specialty area as part of the 2004 NASW's national study of licensed social workers. Several variables were identified as being significant predictors of commitment to aging, including clients' source of insurance, practitioners' years of experience in social work and gerontology, perceived adequacy of training, number of social work colleagues in the work environment, perceived appropriateness of delegated tasks, and annual income. This study illuminates critical areas of need to promote professional commitment to aging practice. Promotion of training and competency-based education and the need for sufficient job challenge and appropriate assignment of roles (that is, those that are consistent with practitioners' skills and abilities) will encourage commitment to working in the field of gerontology.

Journal Title

Health & Social Work

Volume

36

Issue/Number

3

Publication Date

1-1-2011

Document Type

Article

Language

English

First Page

183

Last Page

195

WOS Identifier

WOS:000294930400003

ISSN

0360-7283

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