How does benevolent leadership lead to work–family enrichment? The mediating role of positive group affective tone

• Published in: Stress and health Vol. 36; no. 4; pp. 496 - 506
• Main Authors: Wu, Chih‐Ying, Kuo, Chien‐Chih, Lin, Chia‐Wu, Hu, Wan‐Hsien, Wu, Chia‐Yen, Cheng, Sheng
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.10.2020; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: benevolent leadership; Mood; mood contagion; positive group affective tone; work engagement; work–family enrichment; positive group affective tone; work engagement; work-family enrichment; benevolent leadership; mood contagion
• ISSN: 1532-3005; 1532-2998
• DOI: 10.1002/smi.2950

Although researchers have confirmed the relationship between positive leadership styles and work–family enrichment, benevolent leadership has received little attention. Drawing from the concept of mood contagion, this study explores the underlying mechanism between benevolent leadership and work–family enrichment. Using a survey of 459 employees, across 36 supervisors and their work groups, and multilevel structural equation modelling, this study revealed that benevolent leadership is positively associated with work–family enrichment via cross‐level paths. The results indicated that benevolent leadership is associated with positive group affective tone, which further predicts subordinates' work–family enrichment. Moreover, work engagement mediates the relationship between positive group affective tone and work–family enrichment. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.