Abuse and Wellbeing of Long-Term Care Workers in the COVID-19 Era: Evidence from the UK

Eirini-Christina Saloniki, Agnes Turnpenny, Grace Collins, Catherine Marchand, Ann-Marie Towers and Shereen Hussein
Additional contact information
Agnes Turnpenny: Institute of Public Care, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX2 9AT, UK
Grace Collins: Personal Social Services Research Unit, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NF, UK
Catherine Marchand: Centre for Health Services Studies, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NF, UK
Ann-Marie Towers: Centre for Health Services Studies, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NF, UK
Shereen Hussein: Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1H 9SH, UK

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 15, 1-19

Abstract: The UK long-term care workforce has endured difficult working conditions for many years. During the pandemic, the sector faced unprecedented challenges, which further exacerbated these conditions and brought concerns about workplace abuse and violence. Such experiences can vary by personal and work characteristics, particularly affecting minority ethnic groups. They can subsequently impact workers’ wellbeing and the sector overall. Drawing on the first wave of a UK longitudinal workforce survey, this article examined the impact of COVID-19 on social care workers’ working conditions, general health and wellbeing, and intentions to leave the employer and sector altogether. The analysis is based on both quantitative and qualitative responses 1037 valid responses received between April and June 2021. The respondents were predominantly female, working in direct care roles and mainly serving older adults (including those with dementia). The findings highlighted worrying experiences of abuse in relation to COVID-19, which differed significantly by nationality, ethnicity and care settings. The analysis further showcased the negative impact of experienced abuse on work-life balance and intentions to leave the current employer or the care sector altogether. The findings emphasise the need for targeted measures that promote workers’ physical, emotional and financial wellbeing.

Keywords: abuse; COVID-19; long-term care; wellbeing; workforce (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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