The mediating roles of leader–member exchange and perceived organizational support in the role stress–turnover intention relationship among child welfare workers: A longitudinal analysis

• LMX and POS were negatively associated with turnover intention
• Role stress was positively associated with turnover intention.
• LMX and POS mediated the role stress–turnover intention relationship at a series of static time points.
• Changes in LMX and POS mediated the relationship between changes in role stress and turnover intention at the first 6-month time point.

This study sought to identify the mediating roles of leader–member exchange (LMX) and perceived organizational support (POS) as social exchange relationships in the role stress–turnover intention relationship using a longitudinal perspective. Using three waves of 1-year data from a child welfare workforce study, cross-sectional and longitudinal path analyses were conducted. Findings indicated significant indirect effects of LMX and POS on the role stress–turnover intention relationship at a series of static time points. Changes in LMX and POS mediated the relationship between changes in role stress and turnover intention at the first 6-month time point, whereas mediating effects at the other two time points were not revealed. The findings underscore the importance of both social exchanges, LMX and POS, in managing child welfare workers. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.