Associations between Australian Early Childhood Educators' Mental Health and Working Conditions: A Cross-Sectional Study. Issue 3 (September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Corr, Lara; Cook, Kay; LaMontagne, Anthony D.; Waters, Elizabeth; Davis, Elise
• Is Part Of: Australasian journal of early childhood. Volume 40:Issue 3(2015)
• Page Start: 69
• Page End: 78
• Publication Date: 2015-09
• Subjects: Early childhood education -- Periodicals; Child care services -- Periodicals; Early childhood education -- Australasia -- Periodicals; Child care services -- Australasia -- Periodicals; Child development -- Periodicals; Child care services; Child development; Early childhood education; Australasia; Periodicals; 372.21
• DOI: 10.1177/183693911504000310
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1836-9391

Abstract

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION and care quality relies on educator capacity; however, working conditions may compromise educators' mental health. This study examines associations between family day care (FDC) educators' mental health and working conditions to inform workplace mental health promotion. Three hundred and sixty-six FDC educators completed an online or written survey. In addition to this, regression analyses were used to examine relationships between educator mental health and working conditions. Although many FDC educators had low psychological distress and moderate mental wellbeing, 41.7 per cent reported psychological distress. Most educators' 'efforts' and 'rewards' were unbalanced (effort–reward imbalance [ERI] ratio) and showed high 'overcommitment' to work. Effort and overcommitment were significantly related to increased odds of psychological distress, whereas social support was associated with higher mental wellbeing. The ERI ratio had the strongest associations with educator psychological distress and mental wellbeing. As many working conditions associated with educator mental health are modifiable, this study highlights opportunities for workplace mental health promotion in FDC.