Occupational Turnover Because of Supervisors’ Excellence? The Dilemma of the Professional Development of Social Workers in China

Abstract

Objective: Given the high occupational turnover among experienced social workers in China, we examine how intrinsic motivational factors influence the occupational turnover intention of senior social workers and their exit paths from the profession. Method: We used a mixed-methods approach to illuminate the effects of social workers’ professional competence on occupational turnover intention via cynicism and professional identity. We surveyed 624 social work supervisors from across mainland China to analyze the research model then conducted in-depth interviews with 11 supervisors from Shenzhen, Chengdu, Wuhan, and Xiaogan to articulate the results of the quantitative analysis. Results: Cynicism fully mediated the negative correlation between professional competence and occupational turnover intention among social work supervisors. Compared to supervisors with low professional identity, stronger professional identity led to higher occupational turnover intention when professional competence was enhanced. Senior social workers in China have a high but unbalanced professional identity, and those with high professional identity leave the profession due to the difficulty of reaching achievement- and values-based goals. Conclusions: In the early stages of social work careers, reducing cynicism and developing balanced professional identities may help to reduce the occupational turnover intention of senior social workers in China. Three approaches to retain core personnel are discussed.

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