For money or identity—or both? Which could promote the retention of social workers in China?

Abstract

Low pay and the absence of professional identity (PI) are often blamed as major antecedents related to the turnover of social workers in China, yet no study has provided any consideration of the two antecedents together in predicting the turnover intention (TI) of social workers and comparing them, which acts as a more powerful predictor. Based on a sample of 819 participants and by using structural equation models, the current study indicated whether pay satisfaction (PS) or PI could predict TI; the results show that PS plays a stronger role. The findings identified the mediating role of PI in the relationship between PS and TI, but the moderating role of the type of sector (TS) was not supported. The findings suggest that it is necessary to advocate for adequate pay for social workers all over the world. Additionally, PI should be a top priority in social work education, training, exams and practice. Meanwhile, the government should strengthen the purchase of social work services, and a greater proportion of purchase money should be used to pay social workers. Furthermore, the government could offer subsidies for social workers employed in the private sector, similar to those employed in the public sector.

The Effect of Perceived Over-Qualification on Turnover Intention From a Cognition Perspective

“…At this time, when employees with high professional identity face an imbalance between their own abilities and professional development needs, based on their love and recognition of their careers, they will actively face their own abilities and professional development needs, attributing more reasons to themselves rather than to the professional environment. This reduces employees' turnover intention (Wang et al, 2020). For employees with lower professional identity, as they do not agree with their occupations, they are more likely to attribute more reasons to their professional environments.…”

How would you respond to stereotype pressure? The effects of perceived occupational stigma on social workers’ proactive behavior in China

“…Researchers have noted that numerous social workers in China have shown a departure from proactive behavior in their work in this context (Zeng et al. , 2016; Wang et al. , 2020), while various pioneers have demonstrated high perseverance and enthusiasm (see An and Chapman’s interviews, 2014).…”

“…Recognizing these potential positive and negative influences of perceived occupational stigma, this study draws firmly from cognitive appraisal theory (Lazarus and Folkman, 1984), which can explain why individuals facing the same event or an equal level of stress differ in behavioral reactivity (Wang et al. , 2020).…”

“…Several empirical studies have found that Chinese social workers encounter stigmatization and stereotypes from all sides: the public, staff in community neighborhood committees, family and peers (Zeng et al, 2019;Lei et al, 2022). Researchers have noted that numerous social workers in China have shown a departure from proactive behavior in their work in this context (Zeng et al, 2016;Wang et al, 2020), while various pioneers have demonstrated high perseverance and enthusiasm (see An and Chapman's interviews, 2014). However, few studies have explored why certain social workers lack proactive behaviors for service targets, while others maintain enough enthusiasm to work proactively, despite their perceived occupational stigma.…”