Faculty Publications

Driving Forces: Unpacking Workforce Satisfaction and Retention Among Home Visitors

Document Type

Article

Keywords

Early childhood home visiting, workforce retention, workforce satisfaction

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Infant Mental Health Journal

Abstract

Early childhood home visiting is a complex profession that requires knowledge, skills, and passion for working with families experiencing multiple challenges. Research on workforce satisfaction and retention relies primarily on data collected by current home visitors or supervisors of former employees and lacks depth. The current study was developed to better understand motivators that influence home visitors’ satisfaction and aid in workforce retention. Drawing on social exchange theory, a phenomenological approach was used to understand the home visiting experience and the intersection of relevant motivators for current and former home visitors in a midwestern state located in the United States of America. Findings indicated that home visitor satisfaction was heavily influenced by a mixture of positive and negative motivators that were intrinsic or extrinsic. Further, results identified three major themes related to job satisfaction, including a desire to help people, family efforts, and family needs, which intersected with each other and other motivators to impact decisions about staying or leaving the field. These intersections highlighted the importance of understanding unrealized passion, caseload considerations, relationships with coworkers and supervisors, and mindset. Implications for supporting home visitor well-being, job satisfaction, and home visitor retention are discussed.

Department

Department of Family, Aging and Counseling

Original Publication Date

10-17-2025

DOI of published version

10.1002/imhj.70049

Link to Full Text

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