Job Stress and Job Satisfaction: Home Care Workers in a Consumer-Directed Model of Care (Health Services Research)

The authors of this article studied determinants of job satisfaction among home care workers by analyzing data collected from telephone interviews with 1,614 Los Angeles home care workers on the state payroll in 2003.

Abuse from consumers, unpaid overtime hours, and caring for more than one consumer as well as work-health demands predict less satisfaction. Some physical and emotional demands of the dyadic care relationship are unexpectedly associated with greater job satisfaction. Social support and control, indicated by job security and union involvement, have a direct positive effect on job satisfaction.

The authors conclude that policies that enhance the relational component of care may improve workers' ability to transform the demands of their job into dignified and satisfying labor. Adequate benefits and sufficient authorized hours of care can minimize the stress of unpaid overtime work, caring for multiple consumers, job insecurity, and the financial constraints to seeking health care.

Publication Authors:

• Linda Delp
• Steven P. Wallace, PhD
• Jeanne Geiger-Brown
• Carles Muntaner