Work satisfaction among community-based mental health service providers: the association between work environment and work satisfaction.

This is a study of work environment and work satisfaction among 601 community mental health service providers in the central United States. Aspects of the work environment may limit resources and strategies available to minimize staff burnout and maximize effective service delivery. Three human resource issues related to work satisfaction are reviewed: (a) unique constraints in rural mental health service delivery, (b) the role of paraprofessionals in service delivery, and (c) community-based services for seriously mentally ill individuals. This study demonstrates hypothesized associations between work environment and work satisfaction variables. The results suggest that staff members working with seriously mentally ill individuals are vulnerable to dissatisfaction and stress, and may require special skill and mastery enhancement.