Ohio social workers: An examination of work-related needs, job satisfaction and membership in the National Association of Social Workers. What factors are associated with anticipated tenure in the profession

This multi-method research study had three goals that were quantified into the six research questions. The first goal of this study was to identify the concrete, work-related needs of social workers in Ohio and if those work-related needs are being met. Level of met-need was examined to determine its relationship to job satisfaction and worker burnout. The second goal of this research was to learn what factors are associated with a social worker joining and remaining a member of the professional association, N.A.S.W. The final goal of this research was to investigate if membership in N.A.S.W. is associated with having a higher level of work-related needs met or moderates job satisfaction and/or anticipated tenure in the profession.; This survey quantified the work-related needs of Ohio social workers into the motivational categories classified by Knoke (1988) and most recently tested by Chen (2004) and then rated the specific needs by importance to the worker. The highest category of work-related needs cited were in the informative category followed by solidary needs. Findings indicate that social workers value informative and solidary work-related items and having those needs met increases job satisfaction. Having material needs met does not increase job satisfaction. Having an adequate salary is important but not as important as these other items.; Factors positively associated to projected long-term tenure in the social work field revolve around the issues of being valued, feeling safe and being treated fairly. Working more hours than being paid for was negatively associated with projected long-term tenure. Feeling taken advantage of is correlated with a lower level of job satisfaction but is not correlated with intention to leave the social work field. Having opportunities for leadership was associated with longer projected tenure in the field. Being a member of N.A.S.W. was not correlated with having higher met-need.