Well-being, job satisfaction, stress and burnout in speech-language pathologists: A review

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this review was to evaluate the factors that influence well-being, job satisfaction, stress, and burnout in speech-language pathologists (SLPs), and to identify the impact of these variables on worker recruitment and retention.

Method

A systematic literature search was conducted. Four electronic databases (PsycARTICLES & PsycINFO, PubMed/Medline, CINHAL and ABI/INFORM) were searched. The search was limited to articles published in English between 1998 and June 2018. To be eligible for inclusion, studies needed to investigate or report well-being, job satisfaction, stress or burnout in SLPs. The methodological quality of each paper was assessed using the “Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology” (for quantitative data) and “Consolidated criteria for Reporting Qualitative research” (for qualitative data) checklists. A data-driven thematic analysis of the literature was used to identify key themes.

Result

Seventeen of 2050 studies met the inclusion criteria, of which 15 were cross-sectional surveys yielding quantitative data. Two were qualitative studies. There was consistent evidence for SLPs in the USA and Canada experiencing average to high satisfaction in their jobs. However, SLP job satisfaction in the UK was low, and studies in other countries did not address satisfaction. Facet analysis revealed six contributory themes, three of which were clearly associated with well-being: workload/caseload size, professional support, and salary. The contribution of job control (autonomy), length of time in practice and work setting was inconclusive. Evidence for stress and dissatisfaction leading to workforce attrition was found.

Conclusion

Job satisfaction, stress, and burnout were found to be associated with various occupational features, including elements of demand, support and reward. No previous studies have investigated the interaction between different elements of a job, which might boost satisfaction or ameliorate stress in SLPs. This is the first review using a systematic approach to focus on well-being, satisfaction, stress and burnout in SLPs and suggests more work needs to be done to help identify and improve the well-being of the workforce.

Keywords:

• speech-language pathologist
• speech and language therapist
• allied health professionals
• wellbeing
• job satisfaction
• occupational stress
• burnout

Declaration of interest

The authors report no declarations of interest.

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1080/17549507.2020.1758210