Psychology Faculty Publications

Challenging, Intrinsic Factors that Affect the Longevity of Direct Care Staff Who Work with Clients Possessing Intellectual Disabilities

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2013

Journal Title

Journal of Management Policy and Practice

Volume

14

Issue

6

First Page

116

Last Page

130

Abstract

The present phenomenological, qualitative research study reports four challenging, intrinsic factors that affect the longevity of direct care staff (DCS) who work with clients possessing intellectual disabilities (ID). The sample of 28 DCS was drawn from two Midwestern residential facilities. First, participants detailed the potent effects of burnout and the ever-present threat that this tendency poses. Participants also described the importance of managing stress and its impact on burnout potential. Second, participants shared policy changes which resulted in restricting the interactions between clients with ID and direct-care staff--and their overall dissatisfaction with such restrictions. Additionally, participants reported three frustrations they experienced relating to management. DCS shared perceptions that administrative staff did not value their work, did not value their input, and that expectations held by management were not grounded in reality. Finally, participants shared three character traits necessary for successful long-term direct care work: flexibility, patience, and dedication.

Keywords

Direct care staff (DCS), intellectual disabilities (ID), burnout, stress, psychology

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