Academic Journal
The Association Between Work as a Calling and Turnover Among Early Childhood Education Professionals.
| Title: | The Association Between Work as a Calling and Turnover Among Early Childhood Education Professionals. |
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| Authors: | Herman, Allison N., Dearth-Wesley, Tracy, Whitaker, Robert C. |
| Source: | Early Childhood Education Journal; Mar2024, Vol. 52 Issue 3, p481-491, 11p |
| Abstract: | Turnover of early childhood education (ECE) professionals negatively impacts program costs, staff morale, and relationships with children. We determined whether the presence of work as a calling was associated with less intention to leave the ECE field. From an online survey administered to 265 ECE professionals in Pennsylvania, a calling score based on the Calling and Vocation Questionnaire was used to create sample-defined tertiles of low (< 38), medium (38–44), and high (> 44) presence of calling. Those intending to leave the ECE field reported that, given the option, they would most likely "find a position or get training in a completely different field," or "stop work, stay home, or retire." Analysis was restricted to 194 respondents currently employed in ECE and under age 60, of whom 94.8% were female and 53.9% were non-Hispanic White. After adjusting for race/ethnicity and workplace stress, the prevalence (95% CI) of intention to leave decreased as calling increased, from low (28.6% [17.8%, 38.4%]) to medium (12.2% [4.3%, 20.1%]) to high (9.1% [1.5%, 16.6%]). The presence of call was associated with less intention to leave the ECE field. Identifying, building, and sustaining call among ECE professionals may decrease turnover. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Subject Terms: | EARLY childhood education, MORALE, JOB stress, RACE |
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| ISSN: | 10823301 |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s10643-023-01450-6 |
| Database: | Complementary Index |