The influence of social work students’ fieldwork satisfaction on their career intention
A mediation and moderation model
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21495859 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Meng Yi (0009-0006-8288-4226, Chongqing Technology and Business University, corresponding author), Hu Yang (0000-0003-2054-2256, Chongqing Technology and Business University), Zhao Xingkai (Sichuan University) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Pages | 1-20 |
| Publication date | 2026-01-19 |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Social Work Education (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0261-5479 • E-ISSN: 1470-1227 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/02615479.2026.2616490 |
| OpenAlex | W7124878914 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 41 |
In contemporary China, the social work profession faces the dilemma of social work students’ reluctance to enter the field. Therefore, drawing on human resource management theories, this study proposes and tests hypotheses regarding the effect and underlying mechanisms of social work students’ fieldwork satisfaction on their career intention in social work. Data were collected from 494 social work students undergoing or having recently completed fieldwork in two megacities of Southwest China. Statistical analysis reveals that fieldwork satisfaction not only directly influences students’ career intention but also exerts an indirect effect through the mediation of professional identity toward social work. Additionally, a sense of achievement derived from social work moderates the relationship between fieldwork satisfaction and career intention. Based on these findings, the study discusses how social work agencies and higher education institutions can enhance students’ fieldwork satisfaction and help them achieve a sense of work achievement during internships. The discussion provides insights for increasing social work students’ career intentions and promoting the sustainable development of the social work workforce
Mediation · Moderated mediation · Moderation · Occupational Therapy Practice and Research · Qualitative Research Methods and Ethics · Social Work Education and Practice · Social Work
Teaching Notes
‘Do you know the impostor syndrome?’ Professional identity among early-career social workers
The development of a career identity
An Exploratory Path Model of Social Work Students’ Satisfaction with Field Education Experience in China
Developing Social Work Professional Identity Resilience
Influence of Work Support on Social Workers’ Professional Identity
The Impact of Social Work Supervision on Interns’ Employment Intention
Supportive Social Work Supervision as an Act of Care
| Highly cited | No |
|---|