Investigation of the relationship between nurses' perception of toxic leadership and their organizational trust levels and turnover intentions

Abstract

Abstract Aim This study aimed to investigate the relationship between nurses' perception of toxic leadership and their organizational trust levels and turnover intentions. Design This cross‐sectional study was conducted using an online survey of 168 nurses working in public and university hospitals. Methods Data were collected between April and November 2022 with the Toxic Leadership Scale, Organizational Trust Scale and Turnover Intention Scale. Descriptive statistics, correlations, and regression analyses were used to analyse these data. Results It was determined that almost half of the nurses (46.4%) were exposed to negative behaviours from their managers within the last year. Nurses' perception of toxic leadership, organizational trust level and turnover intention were moderate. It was found that nurses' perceptions of toxic leadership had a negative effect on organizational trust level ( R 2 = .691; β = −0.832; p < .05) and a positive significant effect on turnover intention ( R 2 = .267; β = 0.521; p < .05). Conclusions This study revealed that toxic leadership behaviours in health organizations should be struggled with to increase nurses' organizational trust and reduce their turnover. In this context, an organizational culture in which toxic behaviours are not tolerated should be established in health organizations. Impact What problem did the study address? In the literature, mostly positive leadership behaviours of nurse managers are emphasized and little is known about their negative behaviours such as toxic leadership. What were the main findings? It was determined that nurses who perceived more toxic behaviour from their managers had less trust in their organizations and higher turnover intention. On whom will the research have an impact? To provide a positive working environment and reduce turnover, it is necessary to create an organizational culture in which the toxic behaviours of nurse managers are not tolerated. Patient or Public Contribution No patient or public contribution.