Resilience, job satisfaction, and turnover intentions: a survey of non-profit social workers in Macao

This study examines whether resilience moderates the association between job satisfaction and turnover intention among social workers employed by non-profit organisations (NPOs) in Macao, drawing on Conservation of Resources (COR) theory. Using a cross-sectional survey, data from 287 Macao NPO social workers were analysed with PROCESS. Given the high turnover in Macao’s NPOs, this study focused on social workers in the sector. Job satisfaction was negatively associated with turnover intention, and resilience was positively associated with job satisfaction and negatively associated with turnover intention. Hierarchical regression indicated a significant job satisfaction × resilience interaction: the negative job satisfaction–turnover intention association was significant at mean and high levels of resilience but not at low resilience. Future longitudinal and qualitative research is needed to clarify the processes through which resilience develops among social workers. The findings underscore the value of strengthening job satisfaction and resilience to support retention in NPO social work.