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.