Transformational Leadership, Psychological Empowerment, and Organizational Citizenship Behaviors among Nursing Workforce: A Single Mediation Analysis

Abstract

Aim. To explore the mediating effect of psychological empowerment in the association between transformational leadership and organizational citizenship behaviors in nursing context. Background. Healthcare organizations worldwide are facing unprecedented challenges, necessitating effective leadership strategies to ensure quality patient care and organizational success. Transformational leadership has emerged as a tool to promote positive workplace behaviors, including organizational citizenship behaviors, among nursing staff. However, the mediating role of psychological empowerment in this relationship remains underexplored. Methods. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from March 2023 until August 2023 involving 305 registered nurses at King Khalid Hospital to investigate the relationship among transformational leadership, psychological empowerment, and organizational citizenship behaviors. Validated scales were used to assess these variables. A single mediation analysis was conducted through processing macro version 3.5 model 4. Results. This study found a strong positive association between transformational leadership and both psychological empowerment (r = 0.507, p<0.001) and organizational citizenship behaviors (r = 0.445, p<0.001) among nursing staff. Additionally, psychological empowerment partially mediated the relationship between transformational leadership and organizational citizenship behaviors, with a significant indirect effect (B = 0.110, CI: 0.058–0.166). Conclusions. Transformational leadership positively impacted nurses’ feelings of empowerment, which then led to higher exhibition of organizational citizenship behaviors. Implications for Nursing Management. Leadership development programs should prioritize the cultivation of transformational leadership qualities and support the psychological empowerment of nursing staff. This approach can enhance organizational effectiveness, foster positive workplace environments, and improve patient outcomes.