Factors Contributing to Turnover Intentions of South African Forensic Social Workers

Carlene Winterbach; Alida Glaudina Herbst; Willem Jan Horninge Roestenburg; Lucé Pretorius

doi:10.25159/2708-9355/19542

Authors

Carlene Winterbach North-West University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5515-6235
Alida Glaudina Herbst North-West University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4114-3978
Willem Jan Horninge Roestenburg North-West University
Lucé Pretorius North-West University https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8110-2524

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25159/2708-9355/19542

Keywords:

Forensic social work, employee assessment, job satisfaction, burnout, employee wellbeing, workplace support, turnover and turnover intention

Abstract

High turnover rates among forensic social workers affect service quality in social welfare. This article emanates from quantitative survey which investigated factors contributing to turnover intentions among South African forensic social workers. A census of 97 graduates in forensic social work at North-West University (NWU) was attempted; 28 valid responses were received via an online questionnaire. Standardised measures assessed perceived social support, overall job satisfaction, job stress, turnover intentions and work engagement (vigour, dedication and absorption). Analyses comprised descriptive statistics, Spearman’s rank correlations (ρ), and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Internal consistency in this sample was acceptable across scales. Higher job satisfaction and work engagement were associated with lower turnover intentions, while greater job stress related to lower job satisfaction and engagement. Perceived social support correlated positively with work engagement and was associated with lower turnover intentions. Demographic factors showed minimal direct effects. Given the small, non-probability sample, findings are not generalisable, however, they indicate that enhancing day-to-day social support and strengthening engagement may be relevant for retention.

Author Biographies

Alida Glaudina Herbst, North-West University

Deputy Dean: Teaching and Learning Expertise: The Psychosocial Health of individuals, groups and communities with special reference to adaptation after trauma and loss. Background: Her research focuses on the bio-psychosocial health of individuals, groups and communities with special emphasis on the narratives of illness and health, trauma, loss, grief and bereavement. Her PhD thesis explored the use of the life maps technique in the personal development of young people living with HIV and AIDS. A total of 22 Masters and 11 PhD students have completed their post graduate studies under her supervision. She has authored or co-authored 24 scholarly articles in international and national journals as well as a chapter on project management in the 2016 and 2019 editions of a Cengage textbook, Management and Supervision of Social Workers, and in 2017, she was the co-editor of a text book titled, Trauma counselling: Principles and practice in South Africa today.

Willem Jan Horninge Roestenburg, North-West University

Full Professor, NRF rated researcher and promoter Expertise: Ecometrics, Scale development, Social Indicators, Research Methods Background: My research focus is mainly on the use of measurements and scientific methods in social work assessment across multiple client systems. Part of this concerns the development and validation of measurement systems, scales and indexes for use in measurement. Secondly, my focus is on promoting technology use in social work, specifically information technology.

Lucé Pretorius , North-West University

Lecturer; Subject Group Deputy Leader Expertise: Innovative and responsive social work education and policy, with particular attention to client violence and digitalisation of social work practice. Background: In the thesis, A policy framework to enhance the protection of South African social workers against client violence, a multiphase mixed method design was used to investigate the prevalence and implications of client violence against social workers in South Africa, with the aim of developing a policy framework for use in the South African welfare sector. The Bridgman and Davis Policy Cycle method was used in the development of the policy framework and a policy brief was compiled to inform policies, strategies and guidelines for national stakeholders such as the Department of Social Development, the South African Council for Social Service Professions, the South African Association for Social Workers in Private Practice and the Association of South African Social Work Educational Institutions.

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