Predictors of job satisfaction, job stress, and job commitment in family day care

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Abstract

Three hundred eighty family day-care providers responded to a questionnaire examining three aspects of family day-care provider's job attitudes (job stress, satisfaction, and commitment) as they relate to providers' personal characteristics, program characteristics, and child-rearing preferences. Results showed that personal characteristics predicted job stress and satisfaction whereas a combination of personal and program characteristics predicted job commitment. Perceived social support predicted all three aspects of a provider's job attitudes. Providers who perceived more social support were more likely to be satisfied with their work. They also perceived less job stress and were more committed to their jobs. Data are discussed in light of Jorde-Bloom's (1986) ecological framework.

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    The research reported here was supported by the Early Childhood Training Center (Richard Hanson, Director), Department of Child Development and Family Science, North Dakota State University. The study was conducted in collaboration with Ann and Ron Mullis, University of Florida and Florida State University, respectively, who were then at NDSU. Assistance in data coding and analysis were provided by Loraine Dunn and Renee Gick. Earlier versions of this study were reported at the American Educational Research Association annual meeting, New Orleans, April 1988, and the National Conference on Early Childhood Issues: Policy Options in Support of Children and Families, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, November 1988.

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