Because of Love, I Won't Leave: Harmonious Passion and Turnover Intention Among Primary and Secondary School Teachers

ABSTRACT The high turnover rates of primary and secondary school teachers have become a serious problem in many countries, including China. To date, studies on the relationship between harmonious passion and turnover intention amongst primary and secondary school teachers remain scarce. Based on the conservation of resources theory, this study explored the relationship between harmonious passion and turnover intention, as well as the mediating role of emotional labour (deep acting, surface acting and genuine expression) and the moderating role of psychological empowerment. Data were extracted from 3336 primary and secondary school teachers. The results revealed the following: (1) Harmonious passion negatively predicted turnover intention. (2) Harmonious passion was associated with teachers' turnover intention through the mediating effect of emotional labour. (3) Psychological empowerment moderated the relationship between surface acting and turnover intention. The findings provide effective recommendations for the prevention and intervention of turnover intention amongst primary and secondary school teachers.