Job Autonomy and Turnover Intention among Social Workers in China: Roles of Work-to-family Enrichment, Job Satisfaction and Type of Sector

Abstract

Social workers are experiencing limited job autonomy, especially in China, which has been perceived as a key predictor of turnover intention. However, no research exists about the relationship between job autonomy and turnover intention among social workers in China. This study aims to investigate the relationship between job autonomy and turnover intention mediated by work-to-family enrichment (WFE) and job satisfaction, as well as moderated by the type of sector (public sector and private sector). Based on a sample of 829 participants using SEM, the results indicate that job autonomy per se is not directly related to turnover intention; rather, it is indirectly related to turnover intention mediated through job satisfaction. Furthermore, the mediating role of WFE and the moderating role of the type of sector in the relationship between job autonomy and turnover intention were not identified. Future studies could establish a longitudinal design to make a causal inference between job autonomy and turnover intention and introduce other mediating and moderating variables to further test the relationship. It is also important to examine antecedents of limited job autonomy of social workers and their relevant coping measures.