Transformational leadership and depressive symptoms: a prospective study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to examine the association between transformational leadership and depressive symptoms in employees working within healthcare.


METHODS
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).


CONCLUSIONS
Managers with a transformational leadership style may help toward protecting employees from developing major depression.
Munir
Fehmidah
F
Department of Human Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, UK. f.munir@lboro.ac.uk
Nielsen
Karina
K
Carneiro
Isabella Gomes
IG
D000328:Adult; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires