Understanding and measuring the workrelated quality of life (WRQoL) among those working in adult social care: A scoping review

Background: Work-related quality (WRQoL) of life has become an important concept internationally across different professions including adult social care and is one of the factors associated with higher retention. More importantly, in adult social care, WRQoL is linked to the quality of services provided and outcomes related to patients and service users. Objective: The main objective was to understand how WRQoL has been defined and measured in the literature and to map key components of WRQoL among those working in adult social care and other similar contexts. Design: We conducted the scoping review following the updated guidance by the Joanna Briggs Institute and a pre-defined study protocol. Reporting followed the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist. Data sources: We performed an electronic literature search of eight major databases (e.g. PubMed; CINAHL Plus with Full Text through EBSCO and Social Care Online). The grey literature was searched through the following databases: PROSPERO; OpenGrey; EThOS e-theses online service; and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global: full search strategy. We complemented these electronic searches by searching the reference list of included full-text reports and articles and by contacting our existing network of 15 experts. Eligibility criteria: We included studies that: 1- focused on WRQoL/work-related wellbeing (and their synonyms) where the concept is defined as a multidimensional construct consisting of several components (at least two); and 2- included adult social care or community health care and individuals working in those contexts as participants groups. Results: In total, we included 61 publications. There is an absence of agreement on a definition of WRQoL. Very few studies provided an explicit definition of WRQoL and of those even fewer linked those definitions to specific theoretical models. Based on a thematic analysis of definitions of WRQoL, measures, and factors associated with WRQoL or general wellbeing we identified six key components: organisational characteristics; job characteristics; mental wellbeing and health; physical wellbeing and health; spillover from work to home; and professional identity. Strategies implemented and evaluated in adult social care that addressed social care staff’s WRQoL are almost entirely lacking. Conclusions: While WRQoL in adult social care is recognised as an important concept (given the volume of identified studies), there is very little consensus on what WRQoL is and how best it should be measured. Without a clear understanding of what WRQoL is and how to measure it, development of any interventions and recommendations to the sector and policymakers on how to improve WRQoL among those working in adult social care remains challenging.