The impact of transformational leadership on workers’ personal resources: latent profile analysis and links with physical and psychological health

Abstract

Background Several studies have examined the impact of leadership on employee well-being and health. However, this research has focused on a variable-centred approach. By contrast, the present study adopts a person-centred approach. Aims To (a) identify latent ‘resources’ profiles among two samples combining vigour at work, work engagement and physical activity levels; (b) examine the link between the identified profiles and indicators of psychological/physical health; and (c) test whether different levels of transformational leadership determine the probability of belonging to a particular profile. Method Two samples of workers, S1 and S2 (NS1 = 354; NS2 = 158), completed a cross-sectional survey before their annual medical examination. Results For S1, the results of latent profile analysis yielded three profiles: spiritless, spirited and high-spirited. Both high-spirited and spirited profiles showed a positive relationship with mental health, whereas spiritless showed a negative relationship. For S2, two profiles (spirited and spiritless) were replicated, with similar effects on mental health, but none of them was related to total cholesterol. In both samples, transformational leadership determined the probability of belonging to a particular profile. Conclusions Transformational leadership increased the probability of belonging to a more positive profile and, therefore, to better workers’ health.