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The quest for rural child welfare workers: How different are they from their urban counterparts in demographics, organizational climate, and work attitudes?

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  • Kim, HaeJung
  • Hopkins, Karen M.

Abstract

Recruiting and retaining child welfare workers in rural communities have been noted as major problems. Although there has been research on organizational culture and climate in child welfare, little is known about organizational climate and work attitudes in rural child welfare agencies and how these may differ from urban agencies. Using Glisson's theoretical framework, the purpose of this study is to explore the differences in organizational climate between rural and urban areas. Results showed that rural workers reported lower levels of job stress and higher growth and advancement, role clarity, and organizational commitment than urban workers. The results of multiple regression analysis showed different factors were associated with urban and rural child welfare workers' work attitudes. Compared with their urban counterparts, rural child welfare workers appear to value cooperation and collaboration with coworkers more highly, have clearer expectations and adequate resources, and opportunities for professional growth and promotion. The findings suggest that different managerial strategies may be needed to enhance the organizational climate depending on whether the work setting is rural or urban.

Suggested Citation

  • Kim, HaeJung & Hopkins, Karen M., 2017. "The quest for rural child welfare workers: How different are they from their urban counterparts in demographics, organizational climate, and work attitudes?," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 291-297.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:73:y:2017:i:c:p:291-297
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2016.12.024
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yankeelov, Pamela A. & Barbee, Anita P. & Sullivan, Dana & Antle, Becky F., 2009. "Individual and organizational factors in job retention in Kentucky's child welfare agency," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(5), pages 547-554, May.
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    5. Westbrook, Tonya M. & Ellett, Alberta J. & Asberg, Kia, 2012. "Predicting public child welfare employees' intentions to remain employed with the child welfare organizational culture inventory," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 34(7), pages 1214-1221.
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    Cited by:

    1. Greeno, Elizabeth J. & Gould-Kabler, Carrie & Bowman, Sara & Strubler, Kevin & Harburger, Deborah S., 2023. "Enhanced-youth transition planning: An innovative practice change with transition-age youth involved with child welfare in a rural setting," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    2. Yong Li & Fengyin Yang & Wei Zhang & Zhao Zhang, 2023. "The mediating role of job satisfaction in the stressor–strain relationship among Chinese government employees," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-8, December.
    3. Li, Yong & Huang, Hui & Chen, Yi-Yi, 2020. "Organizational climate, job satisfaction, and turnover in voluntary child welfare workers," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).

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