Predictors of Turnover Intention Among Staff in Juvenile Correctional Facilities: The Relevance of Job Satisfaction and Organizational Commitment. (April 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Matz, Adam K.; Wells, James B.; Minor, Kevin I.; Angel, Earl
• Is Part Of: Youth violence and juvenile justice. Volume 11:Number 2(2013)
• Page Start: 115
• Page End: 131
• Publication Date: 2013-04
• Subjects: correctional staff -- turnover intent -- juvenile justice -- job satisfaction -- organizational commitment; Youth and violence -- United States -- Periodicals; Juvenile justice, Administration of -- United States -- Periodicals; Juvenile delinquency -- United States -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Juvenile corrections -- United States -- Periodicals; 364.360973
• DOI: 10.1177/1541204012460873
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1541-2040

Abstract

Staff turnover poses challenges for many correctional organizations. Though a growing body of research exists on turnover intention in adult corrections, few studies have examined the topic in juvenile corrections, and none have measured organizational commitment—a variable known to predict turnover intent in adult corrections. Using survey data, this study examines the utility of personal characteristics, work environment variables, and job attitudes in predicting intentions of staff in juvenile correctional facilities to quit their jobs within 12 months following survey administration. Job satisfaction and organizational commitment were the best predictors. In turn, considerable variability in these two job attitudes was explained by work environment variables. Implications are discussed for future research and for improving the work environment to better control turnover.