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

Abstract

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.