Direct Support Professionals' Perspectives on Workplace Support: Underappreciated, Overworked, Stressed Out, and
Katherine E Johnson1, Caitlin E Bailey2, Nancy R Weiss3
1Katherine E. Johnson, University of Delaware.
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
|May 24, 2021
Summary
Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) face challenges due to disinvestment. Addressing their needs for better management, fair pay, training, staffing, funding, and reasonable expectations is crucial for retention and job quality.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Management
- Social Work
- Human Services
Background:
- The Direct Support Professional (DSP) workforce faces significant challenges due to decades of underfunding.
- High demand for DSPs is coupled with difficulties in recruitment, training, and retention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the core support needs of Direct Support Professionals.
- To understand factors influencing DSP job satisfaction and agency support.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 440 survey responses from DSPs.
- In-depth analysis of 24 interviews with DSPs.
Main Results:
- Six key support areas were identified: participatory management, fair compensation/recognition, training access, reliable staffing, adequate funding, and reasonable job expectations.
- These needs are critical for improving DSP job performance and support.
Conclusions:
- Addressing the identified support needs is essential for strengthening the DSP workforce.
- Implementing these changes can improve the quality of care and professional satisfaction for DSPs.
More Related Videos
11:13The Social Dimension of Stress: Experimental Manipulations of Social Support and Social Identity in the Trier Social Stress Test
Published on: November 19, 2015
14.0K
05:26Enactive Phenomenological Approach to the Trier Social Stress Test: A Mixed Methods Point of View
Published on: January 7, 2019
6.9K
Related Concept Videos
01:28Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques V
99
A social support system is a structured network of personal relationships that provides assistance to individuals facing various challenges, offering a buffer against psychological and physical stressors. This network may consist of family members, friends, neighbors, colleagues, or other community members who provide resources and companionship. Social support can take many forms, including advice, emotional comfort, practical help, and companionship. Research indicates that these networks can...
99
01:20Psychological Responses to Stress
293
Psychological responses to stress encompass the various cognitive and emotional reactions individuals experience when faced with challenging or threatening situations, such as a job loss. Prolonged exposure to stressors can disturb emotional balance, increasing negative emotions (e.g., anxiety and sadness) and diminishing positive emotions (e.g., joy and satisfaction). These persistent emotional shifts are associated with an increased risk of both physical illness and mental health issues, such...
293
01:30Stress and Mental Health
296
Chronic stress profoundly affects mental health, significantly influencing mood, behavior, and overall quality of life. Research closely links chronic stress with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Ongoing exposure to stress can lead to physiological and psychological changes, initiating a cycle of emotional distress and maladaptive coping mechanisms.
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
296
01:20Lazarus's Cognitive Appraisal Theory
844
Cognitive psychologist Richard Lazarus proposed the cognitive-mediational theory of emotions, which emphasizes how individuals' assessments of stressors significantly affect their experience of stress. According to Lazarus, the stress response is determined by a two-step appraisal process: primary appraisal and secondary appraisal. These cognitive appraisals help individuals evaluate the potential impact of a stressor and determine the adequacy of their coping resources.
Primary Appraisal:...
Primary Appraisal:...
844
01:23Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques II
102
Personality types, particularly Type A and Type B, significantly influence how individuals respond to stress. These personality distinctions are marked by varying levels of ambition, competitiveness, and coping styles, all of which shape an individual's resilience to stressors.
Type A Personality: Driven and Easily Stressed
Individuals with Type A personalities are often highly competitive and ambitious and operate with a strong sense of urgency. Commonly labeled as...
Type A Personality: Driven and Easily Stressed
Individuals with Type A personalities are often highly competitive and ambitious and operate with a strong sense of urgency. Commonly labeled as...
102
01:23Types of Stressors
424
A stressor is any event, condition, or stimulus that triggers stress and causes a physical or psychological response in the body. Stressors can be categorized into three main types: catastrophes; significant life changes; and daily hassles, including social stress. Each can be detrimental to physical and mental well-being.
Catastrophes
Catastrophes refer to large-scale, unpredictable events that create overwhelming stress and a sense of threat. Examples include natural disasters like...
Catastrophes
Catastrophes refer to large-scale, unpredictable events that create overwhelming stress and a sense of threat. Examples include natural disasters like...
424