Transformational leadership and depressive symptoms: a prospective study
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Published on: February 22, 2018
Fehmidah Munir1, Karina Nielsen, Isabella Gomes Carneiro
1Department of Human Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, UK. f.munir@lboro.ac.uk
Objective:
The aim of this study was to examine the association between transformational leadership and depressive symptoms in employees working within healthcare.
Method:
447 employees completed a baseline survey and 274 completed a follow-up survey 18 months later. 188 completed both baseline and follow-up survey. Transformational leadership was measured using the Global Transformational Leadership Scale and depression was measured using with the Major Depression Inventory.
Results:
Transformational leadership was negatively associated with depressive symptoms at baseline (beta=-0.31, p<.01, 8% variance) follow-up (beta=- 0.25, p<.01, 3% variance) and prospectively (beta=- 0.21, p<.05, 4% variance).
Conclusion:
Managers with a transformational leadership style may help toward protecting employees from developing major depression.
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