Factors Affecting the Professional Well-Being of Child Life Specialists

Abstract

Survey responses from 156 child life specialists in the United States and Canada were analyzed for the purpose of testing a conceptual model depicting predictors of three measures of professional well-being: burnout, job dissatisfaction, and intentions to leave a job. Predictor variables included individual factors, measures of workload, attributes of role stress, and sources of social support. Social support was viewed both as a variable exerting a direct influence on professional well-being and as a moderating variable. Results indicated that role stress (especially role ambiguity) was the best predictor of burnout and job dissatisfaction. Lack of supervisor support was found to be the best predictor for job dissatisfaction and intentions to leave a job. Implications for practices in the workplace are discussed.