Date of Award

5-2023

Document Type

Project

Degree Name

Master of Social Work

Department

School of Social Work

First Reader/Committee Chair

Lim, Caroline

Abstract

Background: The turnover rate amongst child welfare workers is an ongoing problem that has yet to find a durable solution. Past studies have examined factors that contribute to workers’ intention to leave and factors that may impact that decision. Purpose: This study explored this issue from the perspective of present and former child welfare workers in southern California counties by examining the relationship between turnover intention and psychological safety. Methods: This observational study used a cross sectional design to gather quantitative data via self-report through an online survey. Pearson product-moment correlation analyses were performed to examine the relationships between psychological safety and turnover intention. Results:. The study sample featured previous or current child welfare workers at a county agency; assigned to the front-end or back-end programs. The study also featured the participants length of employment, length of employment in program, highest level of education, licensure status, participation in therapeutic services, and asked if the participant was a Title IV-E recipient. The sample size of n=13 showed a significant finding between the relationship of individual safety and turnover intention. This finding demonstrated the higher perception of individual safety led to lower intentions to leave the county agency. Conclusion: This study shows partial support in the hypothesis and suggests turnover intention can be decreased with focus in individual safety.

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