Job perceptions following statewide evidence-based treatment implementation

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1108/JCS-07-2016-0013
Published date19 December 2016
Pages345-355
Date19 December 2016
AuthorAmy E. Green,Guy Cafri,Gregory Aarons
Subject MatterHealth & social care,Vulnerable groups,Children's services,Sociology,Sociology of the family,Children/youth,Parents,Education,Early childhood education,Home culture,Social/physical development
Job perceptions following statewide
evidence-based treatment implementation
Amy E. Green, Guy Cafri and Gregory Aarons
Amy E. Green, Guy Cafri and
Gregory Aarons are all based at
the Department of Psychiatry,
University of California,
San Diego, California, USA.
Abstract
Purpose The concerns that implementing a new structured innovation with increased oversight may lead
to reduced job autonomy and poorer work attitudes. These concerns have been cited as a barrier to
evidence-based treatment (EBT) implementation. However, previous research found lower turnover among
child welfare providers implementing an EBT with fidelity monitoring compared to those administering
services as usual (SAU). The authors hypothesized that changes in job autonomy, job satisfaction, and
organizational commitment would be no worse among providers in EBT conditions and fidelity monitoring
conditions compared to SAU and no monitoring conditions.
Design/methodology/approach Survey data were collected from 208 service providers over four waves
at six month intervals as part of a 2 (EBT vs SAU) by 2 (fidelity monitoring vs no monitoring) hybrid
effectiveness-implementation trial. Superiority testing was conducted to determine whether there were
significant differences over time on the outcomes as a function of experimental condition. Non-inferiority
testing examined whether the EBT condition is not inferior to SAU and monitoring not inferior to no monitoring
on the outcomes.
Findings No evidence of superiority was found for any conditions over time on the outcomes.
Non-inferiority testing indicates EBT is not inferior to SAU and monitoring is not inferior to no monitoring on
the outcomes.
Originality/value This study provide empirical quantitative data regarding job attitudes and job autonomy
perceptions over time following EBT implementation. In light of the current findings, concerns regarding the
impact of EBT implementation on provider job perceptions should be minimized.
Keywords Job satisfaction, Implementation, Job autonomy, Organizational commitment, Child welfare,
Evidence-based treatment
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Over 90 percent of US states have committed considerable resources and developed strategies
to support evidence-based treatment (EBT) implementation in childrens services (Cooper and
Aratani, 2009), resulting in increased pressure for child and adolescent social services agencies
to adopt and implement EBTs (Hoagwood et al., 2001; Beidas and Kendall, 2014). However,
despite results showing efficacy of EBTs compared to non-evidence-based services as usual
(SAU), there is often reluctance to adopt EBTs at the system, organization, and provider levels
(Lilienfeld et al., 2013; Proctor et al., 2007).
Transitioning systems and organizations to use of EBTs typically involves changes in
organizational processes due, in part, to the need for training, following a more rigid service
delivery protocol, and adherence to a more structured service model, ideally including some form
of fidelity monitoring. Such system and organizational changes can also impact staff attitudes
and behaviors (Harris and Mossholder, 1996; Howard and Frink, 1996). Given the more
structured and often manualized nature of EBTs and greater levels of oversight through fidelity
Received 6 July 2016
Revised 6 July 2016
Accepted 4 September 2016
DOI 10.1108/JCS-07-2016-0013 VOL. 11 NO. 4 2016, pp. 345-355, © Emerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 1746-6660
j
JOURNAL OF CHILDREN'S SERVICES
j
PAG E 34 5

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT