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What factors influence the retention or turnover of social workers?

The severity and prevalence of turnover among social workers can have a detrimental impact on the clients who depend on in its services. It is therefore important to map what factors influence the retention of social workers.

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SBU Enquiry Service

Consists of structured literature searches to highlight studies that can address questions received by the SBU Enquiry Service from Swedish healthcare or social service providers. We assess the risk of bias in systematic reviews and when needed also quality and transferability of results in health economic studies. Relevant references are compiled by an SBU staff member, in consultation with an external expert when needed.

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Published: Report no: ut201825

Question

What does research tell us about how to create a work environment that is sustainable and attractive for social workers?

Identified literature

  1. DePanfilis D, Zlotnik JL. Retention of front-line staff in child welfare: A systematic review of research. Children and Youth Services 2008;30:995-1008.
  2. Kim H, Kao D. A meta-analysis of turnover intention predictors among U.S. child welfare workers 2014;47:214-223.
  3. McFadden P, Campbell A, Taylor B. Resilience and burnout in child protection social work: Individual and organizational themes from a systematic review 2015;45:1546-1563.
  4. Romero A, Lassmann H. Benefits of mentoring programs for child welfare workers: A systematic review 2017;41:301-316.
  5. Webb CM, Carpenter J. What can be done to promote the retention of social workers? A systematic review of interventions 2012;42:1235-1255.

Literature search

Literature search.pdf

Project group

Lina Leander and Agneta Brolund at SBU.

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