The objective of this paper is the creation of a multidimensional model of occupational well-being
for child welfare professions and the definition of the model?s six dimensions of well-being: affective,
social, cognitive, professional, personal, and psychosocial well-being. Previous concepts that were
used to describe child welfare employees? well-being at work focused, primarily, on single aspects
of work-related mental distress or well-being, disregarding the complexity of well-being in child
welfare professions. The model presented here is based on an analysis of theoretical concepts
and empirical studies addressing child welfare workers? mental distress and well-being. The body
of variables, consisting of individual and organizational factors and gathered from the analysis, is
used to create a positively oriented model. The key processes in developing psychological distress,
as well as employee well-being, are seen in worker?client relationships and the interactions of
organizations with their employees. The presented model reveals the importance of constructive
interaction between organizations and employees concerning the creation and maintenance of
occupational well-being. Application of the model will contribute to the enhancement of the occupational
well-being of child welfare employees and, thereby, of organizational well-being. Additional
investigations are needed for the empirical validation of the model.
Author Biography
Andreas Baldschun, Department of Social Sciences, University of
Eastern Finland
