The role of leadership in nurses' wellbeing and performance: A cross‐sectional survey using a dual motivational pathway model

Aim To examine the positive motivational paths from perceived autonomy‐supportive leadership, and the negative motivational paths from perceived controlling leadership to satisfaction and frustration of basic psychological needs, work motivation, work performance, work engagement and somatic symptom burden among nurses using Self‐Determination Theory. Design The study used a cross‐sectional design mapping nurses' perceptions of the various study variables through a survey. Methods Nurses working in the municipal healthcare in Norway were recruited through an electronic questionnaire sent out via a link to their emails between 29th of August and 29th of September 2020. Of them, 219 nurses completed the questionnaire. Study hypotheses were tested using structural equation modelling. Results Higher levels of perceived autonomy‐supportive leadership were associated with reduced levels of somatic symptom burden and increased levels of work performance and work engagement through the satisfaction of basic psychological needs and autonomous motivation, specifically identified regulation and intrinsic motivation. Perceptions of controlling leadership were associated with heightened levels of somatic symptom burden through basic psychological need frustration, amotivation and introjected motivation, along with lower levels of work engagement through need frustration and amotivation. Conclusion This study underscores the positive motivational paths of perceived autonomy‐supportive leadership on nurses' work performance and wellbeing through the facilitation of basic psychological need satisfaction and autonomous motivation. Conversely, the study highlights negative motivational paths of perceived controlling leadership on reduced work engagement and heightened ill‐being through the basic psychological need frustration, controlled motivation and amotivation. Impact This study provides insights and actionable recommendations for nurses and their leaders, emphasizing the significance of understanding the adverse impact associated with perceived controlling leadership. The findings underscore the importance of addressing these issues to mitigate detrimental effects on motivation and overall work functioning. Patient or Public Contribution No patient or public contribution.