Job Characteristics and Health of Adult Protective Services Workers

Adult protective services (APS) workers face substantial occupational challenges which can affect their health.  Little research has been conducted in this area.  This pilot study examines the relationship between occupational exposures, health and workplace characteristics in a sample of 81 APS fieldworkers attending an annual state-wide training institute. These workers were mostly female (82%), college educated (91%) and had 5+ years of experience (75%). Data were collected via an anonymous on-line self-report survey.  Almost all (97%) have been exposed to work-related health hazards and most (70%) were exposed in the past month.  Hazards included clutter, human/animal waste, insect infestations, threats and attacks. Almost one-fifth (18%) report fair/poor health, 14% have a disabilty that affects their function for a week or more each month, and 41% are at risk for depression   Overall, 29% are at high risk for burnout.  However, 29% also have high levels of ‘compassion satisfaction’(intrisic rewards for helping others) from their job.  Those who rate their supervisors favorably are at much lower risk for burnout and are much more likely to have compassion satisfaction with their job.  This relationship holds true in regression models that control for experience, poor health and past-month exposure to hazards.  Supervisor training may be one of the keys to APS worker health.