Transformational Leadership as a Retention Factor in Child WelfareServices: An International Comparative Study

Khan Zeenat
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Khan Zeenat: Marathwada College of Education, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India

Leadership and Social Work, 2026, vol. 2, 12

Abstract: Objective: This article analyzes the relationship between transformational leadership and workers’ intention to stay in child welfare services, proposing an explanatory model that integrates organizational commitment and job burnout as mediating variables. Methodology: A systematic literature review emphasizing empirical studies published in Scopus-indexed journals (2016-2025), complemented by a comparative analysis of research conducted in the United States, China, Poland, and Nordic countries. Results: Evidence confirms that transformational leadership by directors and supervisors has a direct negative effect on turnover intention (Park, 2018; Park & Pierce, 2020). This effect operates through multiple mechanisms: strengthening organizational commitment (Rittschof & Fortunato, 2016), reducing emotional exhaustion (Yuan, 2025), and mitigating secondary traumatic stress (Park et al., 2024). Conclusions: Transformational leadership constitutes a critical protective factor against turnover in child welfare. It is recommended to incorporate transformational leadership training at all management levels and develop supervision systems that integrate these competencies.

Keywords: transformational leadership; child welfare; employee retention; social workers; turnover intention (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:lsw:lidtsw:v:2:y:2026:id:12

DOI: 10.65835/lsw.2026.2.12

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