This dissertation study examined the relationship between vicarious traumatization and job retention among 1,192 child welfare professionals in five different child welfare organizations. Propositions from Constructivist Self Development Theory (CSDT) were utilized to examine the differential factors influencing the impact of vicarious trauma on child welfare professionals' intent to leave their organization, including coping strategies, professional efficacy, and professional satisfaction. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to assess the degree of fit between the observed data and several hypothesized theoretical models examining the relationship between vicarious trauma, coping strategies, professional efficacy, professional satisfaction, and retention. Findings from SEM analyses revealed a significant relationship between vicarious traumatization and intent to leave, as mediated by professional efficacy and professional satisfaction. This finding indicated that child welfare professionals who experienced higher rates of vicarious traumatization were more likely to leave their organization. Implications of these findings for theory, research, and social work practice are delineated.
","abstract_html":"<p>This dissertation study examined the relationship between vicarious traumatization and job retention among 1,192 child welfare professionals in five different child welfare organizations. Propositions from Constructivist Self Development Theory (CSDT) were utilized to examine the differential factors influencing the impact of vicarious trauma on child welfare professionals' intent to leave their organization, including coping strategies, professional efficacy, and professional satisfaction. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to assess the degree of fit between the observed data and several hypothesized theoretical models examining the relationship between vicarious trauma, coping strategies, professional efficacy, professional satisfaction, and retention. Findings from SEM analyses revealed a significant relationship between vicarious traumatization and intent to leave, as mediated by professional efficacy and professional satisfaction. This finding indicated that child welfare professionals who experienced higher rates of vicarious traumatization were more likely to leave their organization. Implications of these findings for theory, research, and social work practice are delineated.</p>","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Middleton, Jennifer S."],"institution":null,"degree_name":"Ph.D.","degree_level":"Dissertation","degree_discipline":null,"degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":["Cathryn C. Potter, Ph.D.","Inna Altschul","Daniel S. Brisson","Nicole Nicotera"],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2011,"date_issued":"2011-01-01T08:00:00Z","date_published":"2011-01-01T08:00:00Z","updated_at":"2026-07-24T02:02:38Z","subjects":["Child welfare","Job retention","Vicarious trauma","Social Work"],"languages":["en"],"rights":["Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.
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"],"dc:subject":["Child welfare","Job retention","Vicarious trauma","Social Work"],"dc:title":["The Relationship Between Vicarious Traumatization and Job Retention Among Child Welfare Professionals"],"thesis:degree_level":["Dissertation"],"thesis:degree_name":["Ph.D."]},"updated_at":"2026-07-24T02:02:38Z"}