Mental Health and Turnover Intentions of Childcare Professionals: The Role of Mental Health Consultation

• In Event: Sustaining in the Counseling Profession

Abstract

Using data from a nationwide survey of 28,765 child care and education professionals, this study investigates the direct and indirect effects of depression and perceived stress on early care and education professionals' turnover intentions through access to mental health consultation. Path analysis results indicated that the indirect effect through current access to mental health consultations indicated that both depression and perceived stress were positively related to turnover intentions, and part of the effects of mental health on turnover intentions are explained by access to mental health consultation. The direct link between mental health outcomes, for both depression and stress, and turnover intentions clearly indicates the critical need to build support systems and better policies to keep ECE professionals in the field.

Authors

• Ayse Cobanoglu, Yale University
  Presenting Author

• Yale Early Child Care and Education Research Group, Yale University
  Non-Presenting Author