Transformational leadership and depressive symptoms: a prospective study

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the association between transformational leadership and depressive symptoms in employees working within healthcare.Method: 447 employees completed a baseline survey and 274 completed a follow-up survey 18 months later. 188 completed both baseline and follow-up survey. Transformational leadership was measured using the Global Transformational Leadership Scale and depression was measured using with the Major Depression Inventory.Results: Transformational leadership was negatively associated with depressive symptoms at baseline (beta = -0.31, p<.01, 8% variance) follow-up (beta = -0.25, p<.01, 3% variance) and prospectively (beta = - 0.21, p<.05, 4% variance). Conclusion: Managers with a transformational leadership style may help toward protecting employees from developing major depression.