Childcare providers’ mental health: a systematic review of its prevalence, determinants and relationship to care quality

L. CorrJack Brockhoff Child Health and Wellbeing Program, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Level 5, 207 Bouverie Street, Melbourne, Victoria3010, Australia;McCaughey Centre, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Heath Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Level 5, 207 Bouverie Street, Melbourne, Victoria3010, AustraliaCorrespondence[email protected]

E. DavisJack Brockhoff Child Health and Wellbeing Program, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Level 5, 207 Bouverie Street, Melbourne, Victoria3010, Australia;McCaughey Centre, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Heath Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Level 5, 207 Bouverie Street, Melbourne, Victoria3010, Australia

A.D. LaMontagneMcCaughey Centre, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Heath Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Level 5, 207 Bouverie Street, Melbourne, Victoria3010, Australia;Population Health Strategic Research Centre, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia

E. WatersJack Brockhoff Child Health and Wellbeing Program, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Level 5, 207 Bouverie Street, Melbourne, Victoria3010, Australia;McCaughey Centre, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Heath Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Level 5, 207 Bouverie Street, Melbourne, Victoria3010, Australia

E. SteeleJack Brockhoff Child Health and Wellbeing Program, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Level 5, 207 Bouverie Street, Melbourne, Victoria3010, Australia;McCaughey Centre, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Heath Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Level 5, 207 Bouverie Street, Melbourne, Victoria3010, Australia

Abstract

Childcare providers’ mental health is important for their well-being and its potential impact on turnover and care quality. A systematic review of research (1980–2012) was conducted to investigate the quality and findings of studies on the mental health of centre- and home-based childcare providers. Eighteen articles were identified that examined depression, stress, negative moods or positive mental health. There were risks of bias within most studies (15/18). Qualitative research indicated high provider stress, yet mean scores of perceived stress and depression were low and mental well-being was high. Poor mental health was linked with poor working conditions. Its relationship with care quality was inconclusive; however, higher quality care was consistently related to higher educator mental well-being. This systematic review revealed a limited evidence base largely focused on mental health problems and suggests that sector engagement is essential to advance the mental health of childcare providers.

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Childcare providers’ mental health: a systematic review of its prevalence, determinants and relationship to care quality

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