Promoting satisfaction and reducing fatigue: Understanding the impact of trauma‐informed organizational culture on psychological wellness among Direct Service Providers. Issue 5 (20th February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Keesler, John M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities. Volume 33:Issue 5(2020:Sep.)
• Page Start: 939
• Page End: 949
• Publication Date: 2020-02-20
• Subjects: burnout -- direct support professionals -- organizational culture -- professional quality of life -- trauma‐informed care; Learning disabilities -- Periodicals; Mental retardation -- Periodicals; Learning disabled -- Periodicals; People with mental disabilities -- Periodicals; 616.85880072
• DOI: 10.1111/jar.12715
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1360-2322

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Organizations supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are challenged with maintaining a viable workforce of direct support professionals (DSPs). Amid multiple factors, organizational culture based on trauma‐informed care may promote DSP retention through increased satisfaction and decreased fatigue. Method: An online survey was used to gather data from DSPs ( n = 380) across seven agencies and two online social media groups. Data were analysed using stepwise regression to identify the relationship between trauma‐informed organizational culture and professional quality of life (i.e., satisfaction, burnout and secondary traumatic stress). Results: Trauma‐informed organizational culture was associated with increased DSP psychological wellness. Regression models explained 7.3%–40.5% of the variance in professional quality of life. Conclusions: Although trauma‐informed initiatives have lagged in IDD services, this study provides preliminary evidence to bolster its justification, highlighting it as a possible partial response to the current workforce challenges.