Exploring the relationship between personality types, self-esteem, self-efficacy, job satisfaction and coping strategies among residential childcare staff versus the general public

Abstract

Residential Childcare is a challenging yet rewarding environment. Young People admitted to children's home are present due to a myriad of reasons. The majority of these young people display significant emotional and behavioural problems leading to a very demanding workplace for the Childcare Workers caring for them. In order to establish the characteristics particular to the Childcare Workers in this environment coping mechanisms, Self Efficacy, Self Esteem, Personality and Job Satisfaction levels of Child Care Workers were measured. Child Care Workers in this study were employed various residential homes operated by Fresh Start a private provider of Children's Services in Ireland. Results from the Child Care Workers (n=40) were then compared against a sample of Office based staff members (n=35).