Commitment of Licensed Social Workers to Aging Practice

    Authors

    K. Simons; R. Bonifas;D. Gammonley

    Comments

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    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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