Retaining counseling staff at substance abuse treatment centers: effects of management practices

The turbulence created by the emergence of managed care has increased the importance of staff retention for substance abuse treatment centers. This study examines the relationships between management practices, organizational commitment, and turnover intention among substance abuse treatment counselors. Counselors from 345 randomly selected privately funded treatment centers were surveyed about management practices, organizational commitment, and turnover intention. Structural equation model estimates indicate significant associations between these variables. The effects of performance-based rewards and support for creativity, two measures of management practices, on turnover intention are mediated by organizational commitment. Job autonomy has a direct effect on turnover intention. Treatment center administrators may improve staff retention by systematic attention to these factors shown to enhance organizational commitment and reduce counselors' intentions to quit. Such steps may include increasing counselor autonomy, providing rewards for strong job performance, and establishing a work environment that supports creativity and innovation.