Author Identifier
Theresa Rayfield: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4115-0529
Ruth Wallace: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5392-5195
Karen Lombardi: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8016-2197
Eben Afrifa-Yamoah: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1741-9249
Brennen Mills: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7409-7007
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Title
Early Childhood Education Journal
Publisher
Springer
School
School of Medical and Health Sciences / School of Science
RAS ID
82306
Funders
Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship
Abstract
Family Day Care (FDC) is an essential service supporting Australian families requiring convenient, versatile, and quality education and care for their children. FDC educators’ mental wellbeing (MWB), often overlooked, is vital to ensure optimal education and care. This study aimed to gauge Australian FDC educators’ MWB and identify factors positively or negatively affecting MWB. A cross-sectional questionnaire measuring MWB, and eight predictor variables influencing MWB, was completed by Australian FDC educators. Structural equation modelling was utilised to ascertain relationships of the predictor variables on MWB. This study established MWB was lower than population norms (N = 292) and provided a model accounting for approximately 46% of overall contribution to MWB. Body appreciation and resilience were associated with positive MWB, while increased job stress and food insecurity negatively impacted MWB. This research can inform strategies focused on influential factors impacting FDC educator MWB, ensuring children continue to receive high quality education and care.
DOI
10.1007/s10643-025-01939-2
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Comments
Rayfield, T., Wallace, R., Lombardi, K., Afrifa-Yamoah, E., & Mills, B. (2025). Determining the mental wellbeing of family day care educators in Australia. Early Childhood Education Journal. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-025-01939-2