Job rewards and concerns for social workers: The impact of changes in funding and delivery of mental health services

The level of job rewards for social workers has been correlated with the quality of service to clients. A purposive quota sample of 127 Licensed Independent Clinical Social Workers in Massachusetts employed in three settings completed the Job Role Quality Scale. Respondents found Decision Authority, Flexibility, and Impact (sense of helping others) most rewarding. Private practitioners reported a significantly higher level of reward than respondents in public and private agencies. Administrative interventions directed toward increasing job rewards and decreasing job concerns, may reduce social work staff turnover and enhance the quality of service to clients.