Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Date

2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Social Work

Department

Social Work

Committee Chair

Susan Neely-Barnes

Committee Member

Gregory Washington

Committee Member

Laura Taylor

Committee Member

Susan Elswick

Abstract

Many infant and early childhood mental health organizations are facing difficulties retaining professionals to provide high-quality services to infants, young children, and families in Tennessee. When professionals do not experience consistent and responsive connections and healthy interpersonal relationships, they are often prepared to seek alternative employment, which can disrupt the relationships and services they provide to families. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact that a sense of belonging has on an infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH) professional’s intent to stay in their role and its associations with the perception of organizational belonging, psychological safety, organizational culture, and job satisfaction/professional well-being. An online survey was completed by 128 IECMH professionals in Tennessee. Correlation analysis was used to explore relationships between the demographic and organizational variables and each scale. Multiple linear regression and ANOVA analyses were also conducted to further examine the relationship between these variables and a professional’s intent to stay. Primary hypotheses were supported by greater experiences of organizational belonging, psychological safety, organizational culture, and job satisfaction/professional well-being, which led to a professional’s intent to stay in their current role. The qualitative analysis supported the primary hypotheses and provided a deeper insight into factors that foster a sense of belonging in the workplace. This data also gleaned insight into relationships between a professional’s work environment, leadership behaviors, generational differences, and compensation and their intent to stay. Examining these findings could aid in designing organizational strategies to reduce workforce turnover in the IECMH field, which could enhance relationships and outcomes for infants, young children, and families in Tennessee.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

PDF

Notes

Open access.

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