The relationship between public service motivation and turnover intention: the mediating role of work stress and task performance

Background: The shortage of health care workforce is a common problem all over the world and one of the main reasons for the shortage is the high turnover rate. Based on the characteristics of medical work, this study explored the relationship among public service motivation (PSM), work stress, task performance and turnover intention. Methods: Medical personnel in public hospitals were selected by stratified random sampling in Jilin province of China and validated scales from previous studies were applied to measure the variables. Besides, a structural equation model of turnover intention was constructed to demonstrate the relationship. Results: A total of 3191 valid questionnaires were collected. The results showed that the score of turnover intention was 2.02 +/- 1.13. There are significant differences in turnover intention among medical staff of different genders and departments. At the same time, PSM had direct and negative effects on the turnover intention (beta = -0.292, P < 0.001), work stress had direct and positive effects on the turnover intention (beta = 0.479, P < 0.001), whereas task performance had no significant effect on turnover intention (beta = 0.044, P < 0.142). The results showed an acceptable fit model. Conclusion: The greater the PSM, the lower the turnover intention, and the higher the work stress, the higher the turnover intention. In addition, work stress and task performance play a mediating role between PSM and turnover intention. This paper provides theoretical support for the measures to reduce the turnover intention of medical staff.