Traits, Vision, and Professionalism of Social Workers in China

Abstract This study explores the relationships between social workers’ traits, professional identification, shared vision, and professional support in Mainland China. The study proposes that six traits of social workers, namely Commitment, Humility, Resilience, Integrity, Service, and Teamwork, are essential for social workers. These six specific traits form a broad framework of traits of social workers, which has a significant association with social workers’ identification with their professionalism and shared vision of their working organization. A questionnaire was developed to measure the four constructs. Four hundred and ninety-four valid responses from a convenience sample mainly in Guangdong of Mainland China were received and analysed with Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Structural Equation Modelling. The questionnaire was validated with good validity and reliability. The analysis showed that the traits of social workers have a significant positive effect on their professional identification. Additionally, social workers’ traits and professional support have a significant positive impact on their shared vision of their organization. These findings can cast light on the importance of traits of social workers on their professionalism and effective performance.