Community Health Worker Motivation in the U.S.: A Descriptive Qualitative Research Study

Sheryl L.  Chatfield; Dennis Kirimi

doi:10.66815/ajqr/18699

Sheryl L. Chatfield ¹ ^* , Dennis Kirimi ²

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AM J QUALITATIVE RES, Volume 10, Issue 3, pp. 269-282

https://doi.org/10.66815/ajqr/18699

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Abstract

Community Health Workers (CHWs) play a critical role in improving access to preventive services for lower resourced, underrepresented individuals, although most research in the U.S. is focused on program efficacy rather than CHW motivation and job satisfaction which may play a role in higher than ideal turnover among CHWs. The purpose of this research was to investigate motivation of U.S. based CHWs to develop recommendations for recruitment, retention and professional development. The constructs of competence, autonomy and relatedness from self-determination theory were used to frame data gathering and analysis. Fifteen practicing CHW participants in seven focus groups described their thoughts regarding motivations, challenges, and career growth. Qualitative analysis revealed four themes: Preparing for the CHW Role; Navigating the CHW Role; Thriving in the CHW Role; Reflecting on the CHW Role. Key findings within themes included CHWs were motivated to enter the profession as a result of having similar lived experiences to clients they served, and experienced ongoing motivation from contributing to health improvement in their home communities. While CHWs described profound challenges related to client needs and limited resources, participants experience competence in navigating challenges and were often autonomous in their work although some felt loss of control when client needs surpassed available resources. The growing need for CHWs may be addressed through an expansion of available training so CHWs can train and work in their home communities. A modified residual market scheme with private health insurers may have potential to facilitate viable and economically beneficial expansion of CHW practice.

Keywords: Community health workers; Focus groups; Qualitative; Motivation; Self-determination theory; health disparities; healthcare financing

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Citation

Chatfield, S. L., & Kirimi, D. (2026). Community Health Worker Motivation in the U.S.: A Descriptive Qualitative Research Study. American Journal of Qualitative Research, 10(3), 269-282. https://doi.org/10.66815/ajqr/18699

Chatfield, S. L., and Kirimi, D. (2026). Community Health Worker Motivation in the U.S.: A Descriptive Qualitative Research Study. American Journal of Qualitative Research, 10(3), pp. 269-282. https://doi.org/10.66815/ajqr/18699

Chatfield SL, Kirimi D. Community Health Worker Motivation in the U.S.: A Descriptive Qualitative Research Study. AM J QUALITATIVE RES. 2026;10(3), 269-282. https://doi.org/10.66815/ajqr/18699

Chatfield, Sheryl L., and Dennis Kirimi. "Community Health Worker Motivation in the U.S.: A Descriptive Qualitative Research Study". American Journal of Qualitative Research 2026 10 no. 3 (2026): 269-282. https://doi.org/10.66815/ajqr/18699

Chatfield, Sheryl L. et al. "Community Health Worker Motivation in the U.S.: A Descriptive Qualitative Research Study". American Journal of Qualitative Research, vol. 10, no. 3, 2026, pp. 269-282. https://doi.org/10.66815/ajqr/18699

Chatfield SL, Kirimi D. Community Health Worker Motivation in the U.S.: A Descriptive Qualitative Research Study. AM J QUALITATIVE RES. 2026;10(3):269-82. https://doi.org/10.66815/ajqr/18699