The role of the locus of control in the relationship between situational leadership and satisfaction

Abstract

The present study intends to explore the relationship between situational leadership and satisfaction with direct leadership, and how employees’ locus of control contributes to this same relationship. The study’s sample is composed of 149 workers selected via snowball recruitment. All participants reported they worked under a direct supervisor. The results suggest that there is a positive relationship between situational leadership and satisfaction with the supervisor that is not mediated by an external control locus, with B = .05, SE = .07, 95% CI [-090,. 189]. This relationship, however, is apparently mediated by an internal locus of control, with B = .18, SE = .06, 95% CI [0.070, 0.321]. The results of this study assist in comprehending the process by which leadership behavior of one’s direct superior is related to the development of employees' attitudes in the workplace.