Authentic leadership and thriving among nurses: the mediating role of empathy

Abstract

AIM: To examine the relationship between perceived authentic leadership and two dimensions of thriving (learning and vitality) among nurses, and to study the mediating role of empathy in this relationship. BACKGROUND: Nurses' thriving is a key asset for health care organisations, and its significant role warrants the need to identify the underlying key determinants and psychological mechanisms. METHOD: A cross-sectional design was carried out in a large hospital in September 2013. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to 360 nurses. The main hypotheses were tested through hierarchical regression analyses. RESULTS: The significant positive relationship between perceived authentic leadership and vitality was mediated by perceived empathy. This mediation, however, was not confirmed in relation to learning. CONCLUSIONS: Nurse managers' authentic leadership enhances nurses' thriving at work. Furthermore, empathic nurse managers seem to increase the vitality of their nurses. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Training nurse managers in authentic leadership skills is important for the nursing field, as those skills help nurse managers to better express empathy and consequently foster thriving in nursing.