Transformational Leadership and Collective Teacher Self-Efficacy: The Mediating Role of Satisfaction with Job Resources

Abstract

This study analyzes the relationships between transformational leadership and job resources' satisfaction with collective teacher self-efficacy. It also explores the mediating role of satisfaction with job resources between transformational leadership and collective teacher self-efficacy. Primary level teachers (N = 260) from different schools in Argentina participated in this study, ranging from 21 to 60 years old. Participants responded to scales that assessed transformational leadership, satisfaction with job resources (leader, task, team, organization), and collective teacher self-efficacy. SEM models were computed using Unweighted Least Squares estimation. First, we tested if participants distinguished between the thirteen primary constructs previously measured using confirmatory factor analysis. Then, a predictive model with the three main latent variables was specified, and each dimension's average scores were used as indicators. After minor changes, the measurement and predictive models fit the data satisfactorily. Specifically, transformational leadership was a direct predictor of satisfaction with job resources and an indirect and large predictor of collective teacher self-efficacy. In turn, satisfaction with job resources is the only direct and significant predictor of collective teacher self-efficacy. Altogether, the model explained 57% of the variance of collective teacher self-efficacy. This study demonstrates the capacity of transformational leadership behaviors of school principals to influence teacher outcomes variables.