| Background & purpose. In order to more fully understand the implications of emotional labor for early care and education providers, the aim of this study was to explore the relationship between emotional labor, burnout and mental well-being through multiple quantitative measures. Objectives. To appraise providers' perceptions of emotional labor and exploitation effectively, the following steps were completed: (a) focus groups were conducted with providers in order to determine critical components within the constructs of social, economic, cultural and emotional exploitation, (b) proposed instruments were field tested among a sub-sample of providers, (c) finalized materials were distributed to providers accessing the KIDS NOW scholarship program according to the total design method utilized by Dillman (2000) and (d) an analysis was conducted relating emotional labor to burnout, depression and anxiety.;Results. Providers felt devoted to the children in their care and indicated positive feelings toward their employment within the center where they worked while reporting mixed feelings about the possibility of changing professions and whether they were acting at work.;Providers who had an associate's degree reported higher levels of surface acting (controlled emotional display of appropriate emotions which are not genuinely felt) than those with less education, There were no differences found with regard to deep acting (conjuring up of genuine feelings which are appropriate to the situation). The two strongest predictors of burnout, depression and anxiety were job engagement and surface acting. Both of these phenomena showed moderate predictive relationships to the negative consequences of emotional labor.;Implications. Policy and practical implications help to highlight the need for a better compensated workforce within early care and education. Policy-makers may be able to make better informed decisions regarding professional development programs, expected wages within the field and standards of learning expected from providers.;KEYWORDS: Emotional Labor, Child Care, Early Childhood, Exploitation, Service Work... |
