Date of Conferral

2021

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Human Services

Advisor

Randy Heinrich

Abstract

AbstractAs juvenile crime increases across the United States, so do the costs to support incarceration programs. Youth care workers play a pivotal role in supporting the rehabilitation of youth. The effectiveness of a youth residential program is critical for the long-term employment of a youth care worker. The purpose of this qualitative transcendental phenomenological study was to obtain the lived experiences of young and departed youth care workers in residential settings about leaving employment. Pragmatism was the ontology that helped to guide this study with the aim of understanding how individuals’ reality was shaped by relational dynamics that contributed to varying outcomes for youth care workers. Using semistructured interviews of 10 African American former youth care workers at youth residential treatment facilities, the transcendental phenomenological research data analyses included the use of the modified van Kaam method. Four themes appeared: (a) education of youth care workers, (b) issues with administration, (c) frustration with low pay, and (d) enjoyment from working with youth. This study may contribute to positive social change by prompting policy makers and managers to consider increasing supportive professional development and compensation for supervisors and care workers to promote the longevity of youth care staff, resulting in improved supports for at-risk youth.

Download

Share

 
COinS