Characteristics and Job Stressors Associated With Turnover and Turnover Intention Among Community Mental Health Providers

Objective:

This study aimed to examine the provider characteristics and job stressors that are related to turnover intention and actual turnover among community mental health providers.

Methods:

Secondary analyses were conducted with data collected from 186 community mental health providers from two agencies. Self-reported provider characteristics, job stressors, and turnover intention data were collected with the baseline survey, and actual turnover data were obtained from the agencies 12 months later. Bivariate analyses were conducted to examine factors associated with each turnover variable.

Results:

Turnover intention and actual turnover were correlated, yet a distinct set of variables was associated with each outcome. Namely, job stressors were related to turnover intention, while provider characteristics were related to actual turnover.

Conclusions:

Given that both turnover intention and actual turnover have important implications for both providers and agencies, it is critical to consider differential factors associated with each.