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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

Zheng, Y.; Wu, C.; Zheng, X.; Pan, J.

Followers’ unclear demands during the COVID-19 Pandemic can undermine leaders’ well-being: A moderated mediation model from an entrapment perspective Thumbnail


Authors

C. Wu

J. Pan



Abstract

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 wellbeing 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 wellbeing. 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 wellbeing 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 wellbeing 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.

Citation

Zheng, Y., Wu, C., Zheng, X., & Pan, J. (2022). Followers’ unclear demands during the COVID-19 Pandemic can undermine leaders’ well-being: A moderated mediation model from an entrapment perspective. Applied Psychology, 71(3), 935-958. https://doi.org/10.1111/apps.12351

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Sep 20, 2021
Online Publication Date Oct 28, 2021
Publication Date 2022-07
Deposit Date Sep 21, 2021
Publicly Available Date Oct 28, 2022
Journal Applied Psychology: An International Review
Print ISSN 0269-994X
Electronic ISSN 1464-0597
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 71
Issue 3
Pages 935-958
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/apps.12351
Public URL https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1233221

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Copyright Statement
This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Zheng, Y. Wu, C., Zheng, X. & Pan, J. (2022). Followers’ unclear demands during the COVID-19 Pandemic can undermine leaders’ well-being: A moderated mediation model from an entrapment perspective. Applied Psychology: An International Review 71(3): 935-958, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/apps.12351. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited.




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