Authentic leadership and psychological well-being at work of nurses: The mediating role of work climate at the individual level of analysis

• Authentic leadership positively impacts work climate; thus, increasing levels of psychological well-being.
• Mediation results indicate no influence of authentic leadership on psychological well-being independent of its effect on work climate.
• Complementary mediation was found suggesting that an additional mediator in the direct path might have been omitted.

Authentic leadership has been purported to influence psychological well-being through its impact on work climate. Using a sample of 406 nurses, a time-lagged study design was employed to determine the mediational role of work climate in explaining the impact of authentic leadership. Two self-reported questionnaires were completed to ascertain: (1) authentic leadership; and (2) work climate at baseline. In addition, nurses completed a measure to determine their level of psychological well-being at work at the 6 month time period. A mediation analysis with the use of a bootstrapping technique reveals that work climate mediates the relationship between authentic leadership and psychological well-being at work. These findings indicate that authentic leadership impacts the work climate in a positive manner; thereby, increasing levels of psychological well-being at work. We discuss theoretical and practical implications of the findings for future research as well as outline some limitations.