The influence of spiritual leadership on the subjective well‐being of Chinese registered nurses

Abstract

Background Challenging working conditions and job characteristics can result in nurses experiencing significant workplace stress and adversity. Aim To examine how and why spiritual leadership may have a positive influence on nurses’ subjective well‐being. Method A total of 339 registered nurses from five public hospitals in Mainland China participated in this study. Hypotheses were tested using the PROCESS macro. Results Spiritual leadership influenced the subjective well‐being indirectly through workplace spirituality. The interaction between spiritual leadership and power distance orientation on workplace spirituality was significant. Power distance orientation moderates the indirect effect of spiritual leadership on the subjective well‐being through workplace spirituality, and this indirect effect is more positive for nurse with lower power distance orientation. Conclusions Spiritual leadership is a significant contextual factor in the workplace that may influence the nurses’ workplace spirituality and subjective well‐being. Based on their power distance orientation, nurses may have different responses to spiritual leadership, resulting in differing levels of workplace spirituality. Implications for Nursing Management Spirituality can satisfy the internal needs of nurses. Spiritual leadership can facilitate a spiritual working context for sustaining the subjective well‐being of nurses. Hospitals should provide training programmes to help existing leaders engage in spiritual leadership.

The effect of ethical leadership on subjective wellbeing, given the moderator job satisfaction (a case study of private hospitals in Mashhad)

“…In general, this study had two main conclusions: The first one reveals that ethical leadership directly and indirectly affects nurses’ happiness. Therefore, we can conclude that moral leadership affects not only the work of an individual but also the subjective wellbeing of nurses, which is in line with Yang [ 31 ], Teimouri et al, [ 25 ] and Sarwar et al, [ 22 ]. Zou et al, [ 22 ] also show the effect of spiritual leadership on the nurse’s subjective well-being [ 23 ].…”

“…Accordingly, personnel receive help, attention, and emotional care from their leader. Accordingly, Zou et al, [ 22 ] show the effect of spiritual leadership on the Chinese nurses’ subjective well-being [ 23 ]. Teimouri et al, [ 24 ] also confirmed the effect of ethical leadership on psychological wellbeing of employees [ 25 ].…”

“…Teimouri et al, [ 24 ] also confirmed the effect of ethical leadership on psychological wellbeing of employees [ 25 ]. Sarwar et al, [ 26 ] also show the direct positive relation between ethical leadership and employee well-being [ 22 ]. Thus, according to the previous research, the following hypothesis is proposed:…”

The Effect of Ethical Leadership on Subjective Wellbeing, Given the Moderator Job Satisfaction (A Case Study of Private Hospitals in Mashhad)

“…Therefore, we can conclude that moral leadership affects not only the work of an individual but also the subjective wellbeing of nurses, which is in line with Yang [33], Teimouri et al, [25] and Sarwar et al, [26]. Zou et al, (2020) also show the effect of spiritual leadership on the nurse's subjective well-being [24]. In this regard, the authors also conducted interviews with the nurses under study, which they also con rmed and stated that the ethical leadership style in the hospital can greatly affect their mental happiness and feeling of happiness.…”

“…Thus, employees receive help, care, and emotional support from their leader. Accordingly, Zou et al, (2020) show the effect of spiritual leadership on the Chinese nurses subjective well-being [24]. Teimouri et al, (2018) also con rmed the effect of ethical leadership on psychological wellbeing of employees [25].…”