ECE Professionals’ Perspectives on Occupational Well-being and its Influence on Interaction with Children
Reineberg, Auri (2024)
2024
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2024111127891
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2024111127891
Tiivistelmä
The objective of this thesis was to explore ECE professionals’ perspectives on occupational well-being and its influence on interaction with children in two daycare centres in the City of Vantaa. The purpose of this study was to develop working life and offer valuable findings about the professionals’ occupational well-being to the management. The main research question was: What factors influence ECE professionals’ physical, mental, and social well-being in the working environment and how it influences child-professional interaction?
Qualitative research method was used in this thesis and the data was analysed using thematic analysis method. The data was collected through Metropolia e-survey in spring 2024. Participation was anonymous and voluntary for all employees. The response rate was 23.3%, so the results are not reliable to apply to all employees.
The results demonstrated that most of the respondents had challenges with their mental health, they either felt overburdened, tired, or exhausted. Based on the answers, social well-being and atmosphere at work were mostly positive and they felt that professionals care for and support each other. Team support, equal treatment and support from the manager were seen essential to support occupational well-being. The results illustrated that lack of personnel influences work, as it weakens concentration, and increases stress and tiredness which reduces interaction with children. Positive interaction, empathic moments, and hugs from children to professionals are meaningful for supporting the professionals’ well-being at work and improving self-determination and motivation. Participants expressed that children can sensitively read adults’ emotions.
Based on the answers, the professionals’ physical well-being is at a good level. Factors that affect physical well-being at work are noise and lack of labour which increase fatigue and work-related illnesses. Better sound insulation could decrease the feeling of tiredness which could improve concentration during work tasks. In conclusion, sufficient labour resources and good working atmosphere have a considerable impact on ECE professionals’ occupational well-being which has an influence on interaction with the children. Further and more extensive research on the same subject should be conducted in Finland.
Qualitative research method was used in this thesis and the data was analysed using thematic analysis method. The data was collected through Metropolia e-survey in spring 2024. Participation was anonymous and voluntary for all employees. The response rate was 23.3%, so the results are not reliable to apply to all employees.
The results demonstrated that most of the respondents had challenges with their mental health, they either felt overburdened, tired, or exhausted. Based on the answers, social well-being and atmosphere at work were mostly positive and they felt that professionals care for and support each other. Team support, equal treatment and support from the manager were seen essential to support occupational well-being. The results illustrated that lack of personnel influences work, as it weakens concentration, and increases stress and tiredness which reduces interaction with children. Positive interaction, empathic moments, and hugs from children to professionals are meaningful for supporting the professionals’ well-being at work and improving self-determination and motivation. Participants expressed that children can sensitively read adults’ emotions.
Based on the answers, the professionals’ physical well-being is at a good level. Factors that affect physical well-being at work are noise and lack of labour which increase fatigue and work-related illnesses. Better sound insulation could decrease the feeling of tiredness which could improve concentration during work tasks. In conclusion, sufficient labour resources and good working atmosphere have a considerable impact on ECE professionals’ occupational well-being which has an influence on interaction with the children. Further and more extensive research on the same subject should be conducted in Finland.