A Quantitative Study of the Relationship Between Interprofessional Collaboration and Job Satisfaction Among Child Welfare Caseworkers

Abstract

There is a pressing need to improve job satisfaction among child welfare caseworkers given historically high turnover rates that adversely affect family outcomes. Guided by the job demands-resources model, this study examined whether caseworkers’ job satisfaction was associated with their quality of interprofessional collaboration (IPC). Linear regression models were estimated using cross-sectional data provided by the National Child Welfare Workforce Institute. The sample included caseworkers ( N = 1,489) in two states and one urban county in the United States. Results indicated that caseworker job satisfaction increased as their quality of IPC with service providers and court professionals improved. These findings suggest that agency leaders should foster and support IPC as a means of enhancing caseworker job satisfaction.