COVID again? Health workers’ burnout and turnover intentions: possible impacts of coronavirus-induced anxiety and first-level servant leaders

Abstract

Purpose

Building on social exchange and leader-member exchange theories, this paper aims to propose a model of the impact of coronavirus-induced anxiety on health-care professionals’ burnout and turnover intention through the mediation role of servant leadership.

Design/methodology/approach

This model was examined by adopting partial least square-based structural equation modeling using data collected from 271 health professionals (doctors, nurses, midwives and analysts) from Turkey.

Findings

The findings of the research illustrate that coronavirus-induced anxiety is positively associated with burnout and turnover intention. Furthermore, servant leadership mediates the relationship between coronavirus-induced anxiety, burnout and turnover intention. Yet, according to factor loadings, the mediating role of servant leadership is not strong (β : 0.035 and 0.053, respectively).

Research limitations/implications

First, this study targeted the health-care professionals from Turkey. Therefore, this population may not be able to provide general information on the topic. Thus, this study suggests that the subject be addressed in other populations as well. Second, the data were self-reported by the participants. Although common method bias and social desirability bias were not an issue in this study, it should be known that the results are based on the subjective judgments of the participants. Third, this study was limited to investigating the mediating role of servant leadership only.

Practical implications

This study gives much beneficial information to both administrators and organizations by mirroring highly stressed workers’ inside throughout statistically results. Hence, it is assumed that the findings will help leaders to cope with several difficult situations, especially in crisis moments. As the chaotic circumstances occurred, achieving organizational goals became more and more difficult. To do this, some leaders play critical roles for members like servant leaders by contributing uniquely spiritual dimensions.

Social implications

Struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic has aggravated the health-care professionals’ existing mental health and has loaded more agitation on them. According to Mozes (2021), suicide cases among nurses have doubled the number of women in the general population. Thus, leaders should do something to lower those ratios. This study points out that servant leaders could break down those unwanted issues by decreasing burnout and turnover intention rates of health workers. Barbuto and Wheeler (2006) highlighted this situation by creating a dimension called “The Natural Desire to Serve Others.”

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, to date, this study is the first to examine the mediating role of servant leadership in the effect of coronavirus-induced anxiety on burnout and turnover intention. Furthermore, this research reveals that servant leadership may play a role in avoiding burnout and turnover intention in the health sector.

Citation

Kılınç, E. and Çiçek, B. (2024), "COVID again? Health workers’ burnout and turnover intentions: possible impacts of coronavirus-induced anxiety and first-level servant leaders", Leadership in Health Services, Vol. 37 No. 3, pp. 442-458. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHS-10-2023-0078