Same Strain? Comparing Job Demands, Control, Well-Being, and Mental Distress in Child Welfare with the General Workforce

Based on the Job Demands-Control model, this study compared job demands, control, satisfaction, mental distress, and turnover intentions between child welfare workers (N = 587) and the general Norwegian workforce (N = 1599), using identical surveys. Cohen’s effect sizes showed only minor differences, with child welfare workers reporting relatively similar experiences across all variables. Multigroup path analyses revealed comparable relationships between demands, control, and well-being in both groups. These findings challenge previous research concluding that child welfare work is uniquely stressful. However, the study focused on general work strain indicators; future research should examine occupation-specific stressors like threats, violence, and emotional demands.