Transformational leadership in social work organizations: Associations with job autonomy, professional commitment, and turnover intentions among Chinese social workers

Leadership has long been underemphasized in social work education and practice. This study investigates how transformational leadership influences turnover intention among Chinese social workers-an urgent and persistent challenge facing the profession in China. Drawing on a sample of 667 social workers from Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Shanghai, the study employs structural equation modeling to examine the mediating roles of two key work attitudes: job autonomy and professional commitment. The results reveal that transformational leadership is negatively associated with turnover intention, and that this relationship is partially mediated by both job autonomy and professional commitment. By clarifying the psychological mechanisms linking leadership and retention, this study advances the limited scholarship on leadership within Chinese social work. Beyond the Chinese context, the findings offer broader insights into how internal organizational leadership may support social worker retention, especially in settings where financial and structural challenges are prevalent. Practical implications for strengthening leadership capacity in social work organizations are discussed. High turnover among social workers poses a serious challenge to the stability and quality of social services in China. This study examines how transformational leadership-a style that motivates and empowers employees-can reduce social workers' intention to leave their jobs. Using data from 667 social workers in Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Shanghai, the findings show that transformational leadership lowers turnover intention by enhancing job autonomy and professional commitment. These insights not only offer practical guidance for improving leadership practices within Chinese social service organizations but also contribute to global discussions on workforce retention in emotionally demanding professions. The study highlights how investing in leadership development can create more supportive and sustainable work environments for social workers both in China and beyond.