Inclusive Leadership Is Associated With Nurse-Perceived Nurse-Patient Relationship Quality Through the Mediation Link...

The nurse-patient relationship is a cornerstone of high-quality care, yet its cultivation is challenged by the demanding clinical environment. Although inclusive leadership is recognized as a supportive organizational factor, the precise psychological mechanisms through which it is linked to this relationship remain underexplored. This study examines whether self-control and resilience mediate the link between inclusive leadership and nurse-perceived nurse-patient relationship quality, both independently and in sequence.

A cross-sectional survey of 429 registered nurses working in hospitals in China's Sichuan Province was conducted in accordance with the STROBE guidelines. Participants completed validated scales to measure their perceptions of inclusive leadership, self-control, resilience, and the nurse-patient relationship. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis, correlation analysis, and mediation analysis with the Hayes PROCESS macro (Model 6).

There were positive correlations between inclusive leadership and self-control, resilience, and the nurse-perceived nurse-patient relationship (rs > 0.27, ps < 0.001). Mediation analysis confirmed a significant direct link between inclusive leadership and the nurse-perceived nurse-patient relationship (β = 0.18, 95% CI: [0.08, 0.28]). The total indirect effect was also significant (β = 0.25, 95% CI: [0.18, 0.32]). Self-control (β = 0.05, 95% CI: [0.02, 0.07]) and resilience (β = 0.18, 95% CI: [0.12, 0.25]) mediated the relationship independently. Furthermore, a theoretically specified sequential indirect pathway through self-control and resilience was statistically supported (β = 0.02, 95% CI: [0.01, 0.04]).

The findings provide initial evidence suggesting that inclusive leadership is associated with a stronger nurse-perceived nurse-patient relationship, with this association being mediated by self-control and resilience, both independently and sequentially. Healthcare organizations should consider developing inclusive leadership and implementing interventions that concurrently strengthen nurses' self-regulatory capacity and resilience to cultivate optimal therapeutic relationships.