Work stress and depression among direct support professionals: the role of work support and locus of control.
BACKGROUND
Although work stress can impede the capacity of direct support professionals and contribute to mental health challenges, external (i.e. work social support) and internal resources (i.e. an internal locus of control) have been shown to help DSPs cope more actively. We examined how work stress was associated with depression, with a particular focus on the role of resources.


METHODS
Direct support professionals (n = 323) who serve adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities from five community-based organisations completed a cross-sectional, self-administered survey which measured work stress, work support, locus of control, and depression.


RESULTS
Multiple regression analyses demonstrated that work stress was positively associated with depression, while resources were negatively associated with depression. In particular, work support moderated the effects of client disability stress, supervisory support lessened the effects of role conflict, and locus of control moderated the effects of workload.


CONCLUSIONS
Such findings suggest the importance of external and internal resources for staff mental health. This research underscores the need for strong work social support systems and interventions to help staff manage work stressors.
Gray-Stanley
J A
JA
Northern Illinois University, School of Nursing and Health Studies, Department of Public Health and Health Education, DeKalb, IL 60115-2854, USA. jgraystanley@niu.edu
Muramatsu
N
N
Heller
T
T
Hughes
S
S
Johnson
T P
TP
Ramirez-Valles
J
J
D000368:Aged; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology*; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012380:Role; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014937:Work / Q000523:psychology*; D016526:Workload