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Followers' unclear demands during the COVID‐19 pandemic can undermine leaders' well‐being: A moderated mediation model from an entrapment perspective
Author(s) -
Zheng Yuyan,
Wu ChiaHuei,
Zheng Xiaotong Janey,
Pan Jingzhou
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
applied psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.497
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 1464-0597
pISSN - 0269-994X
DOI - 10.1111/apps.12351
Subject(s) - covid-19 , perspective (graphical) , moderated mediation , mediation , pandemic , psychology , entrapment , social psychology , medicine , virology , political science , disease , law , computer science , outbreak , infectious disease (medical specialty) , artificial intelligence
Although effective leaders are important for reducing employee stress during the COVID‐19, limited studies have examined how follower behaviors can influence leader stress and well‐being during the COVID‐19. This study draws on defeat‐entrapment theory to examine how followers' unclear demands during the COVID‐19 consequently impact leaders' psychological states and well‐being. We conducted a three‐wave time‐lagged investigation with a sample of 281 leaders in the United Kingdom and found that followers' unclear demands could generate feelings of entrapment in leaders, leading to decreased levels of well‐being outcomes in leaders. Importantly, we found that leaders who have higher levels of leadership responsibility during the COVID‐19 are likely to feel trapped by followers' unclear demands. They are also likely to face higher levels of feelings of entrapment and impaired well‐being compared with leaders who have lower levels of leadership responsibility. We discuss the implications for theories and practices, as well as directions for future research.