Workplace experiences and turnover intention among adult survivors of childhood cancer

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate workplace experiences and turnover intention (consideration of leaving or changing a job) and to examine factors associated with turnover intention among survivors.

Methods

Adult survivors of childhood cancer with a history of employment (n = 289) completed measures of workplace experiences (n = 50, 18–29 years; n = 183, 30–44 years; n = 56; > 45 years of age at follow-up). Turnover intention was assessed using three items from the Job Satisfaction Scale. Responses were dichotomized as reflecting high vs. low turnover intention. Path analysis was used to estimate the influence of demographic characteristics, treatment exposures (cranial radiation therapy [CRT]), and workplace experiences on turnover intention.

Results

Thirty percent of survivors reported high turnover intention (95% CL, 25 to 36%). Exposure to CRT (P = 0.003), older attained age (P < 0.001), experiencing formal workplace discrimination (P = 0.008), and having lower continuance (P < 0.001) or affective commitment (P < 0.001) were associated with high turnover intention among survivors. Informal discrimination, mediated through job satisfaction, also influenced survivors' reported intent to leave their jobs.

Conclusions

One third of adult survivors of childhood cancer report turnover intention, which is related to their cancer treatment, but more temporally proximal, workplace discrimination. Additional research is needed to understand the consequences of turnover intention among survivors.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

Survivors and their health care providers should be aware of legislative policies related to workplace discrimination (e.g., American with Disabilities Act) and related implications for job turnover.

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