Antecedents, mediators, and outcomes of authentic leadership in healthcare: A systematic review
Abstract
Background
Leaders are essential in every organization to achieve patient safety and . is a relational leadership style purported to promote healthy work environments that influence staff performance and organizational outcomes. Given recent growth in authentic leadership research in and the importance of new knowledge to inform , there is an obligation to determine what is known about the antecedents and outcomes of authentic leadership in healthcare settings and clarify mechanisms by which authentic leadership affects healthcare staff and .
Objectives
The aim of this review was to examine the antecedents, and outcomes associated with authentic leadership in healthcare.
Design
Systematic review.
Data sources
The included 11 databases: ABI Inform Dateline, Academic Search Complete, , , , , ERIC, , , , and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses. The search was conducted in January 2017. Published English-only that examined the antecedents, mediators and outcomes of authentic leadership practices of leaders in healthcare settings was included.
Review methods
, were completed on all included studies. Data extracted from included studies were analyzed through descriptive and narrative syntheses. was used to group antecedents, outcomes and mediators into categories which were then compared to authentic leadership theory.
Results
1036 titles and abstracts were screened yielding 136 for full-text review which resulted in 21 included studies reported in 38 manuscripts. Significant associations between authentic leadership and 43 outcomes were grouped into two major themes: healthcare staff outcomes with 5 subthemes (personal psychological states, satisfaction with work, factors, health & well-being, and performance) and patient outcomes. There were 23 mediators between authentic leadership and 35 different outcomes in the included studies and one antecedent of authentic leadership.
Conclusions
Findings of this review provide support for authentic leadership theory and suggest need for additional testing in future studies using longitudinal and interventional designs in more varied healthcare settings with diverse and interprofessional healthcare samples. Knowledge generated through this systematic review provides a more comprehensive understanding of authentic leadership, which can be used to educate future leaders and has the to improve leadership development strategies and positive outcomes in healthcare workplaces.