Chain-mediated effects of servant leadership on the physical health of Chinese elementary school teachers

Bibliographic Data

ID22069928
AuthorsHongchao Wu (0000-0002-0656-6000, South China Normal University), Ruiqi Zhou (South China Normal University), Xiuhong Li (0000-0001-8084-9706, Guangdong University of Technology), Lihui Yan (South China Normal University), Congying Ma (0009-0005-2803-2797, Beijing Institute of Technology, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume13
Pages1691696-1691696
Publication date2025-12-03
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2025.1691696
PMID41415249
OpenAlexW4416936050
LanguageEN
References cited92

Introduction: The role of servant leadership in the processes of fostering a healthy work environment and enhancing employee well-being has become an important area of academic inquiry, particularly with respect to the highly stressful and emotional demanding profession of teaching. However, the underlying mechanisms of the relationships to teacher's physical health remain insufficiently understood. Thus, in light of the direct effect hypothesis of social support theory and the job demandsresources model, this study conducted a cross-sectional survey of 827 primary school teachers in China. Methods: Descriptive statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 26.0, chain mediation effects were tested using SPSS PROCESS 4.1 (Model 6) with 5,000 bootstrap samples, and the fit of the hypothesized model was further evaluated using AMOS 26.0. Results: The results revealed significant correlations among servant leadership, hindrance stress, emotional exhaustion, and physical health. Specifically, servant leadership was revealed to be significantly negatively associated with physical health problems. Three distinct mediation pathways were identified: (1) the direct mediating effect of hindrance stress, (2) the direct mediating effect of emotional exhaustion, and (3) the chain-mediated effect of hindrance stress on physical health through emotional exhaustion. Discussion: These results provide empirical evidence concerning the mechanisms through which leadership influences teachers' health and contribute to improving the physical health of Chinese elementary school teachers

Educational leadership · Empirical research · Physical education · Physical health · School health · School teachers · Servant · Servant leadership · Grit, Self-Efficacy, and Motivation · Job Satisfaction and Organizational Behavior · Teacher Education and Leadership Studies

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access