The impact of authentic leadership on nurses’ locus of control and general self-efficacy during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented unique challenges to healthcare providers, significantly impacting their well-being. Recognizing the importance of supporting healthcare professionals, this study investigates the interplay between authentic leadership, locus of control, and general self-efficacy among nurses during the pandemic. Employing a descriptive cross-sectional approach, 268 staff nurses participated in this study, conducted in the Tabuk Region of Saudi Arabia, with King Fahad and King Khaled Hospitals as the primary referral centers. Convenience sampling was utilized, and data collection was carried out using a Google Form survey questionnaire from December 2022 to January 2023. The study revealed that participants perceived their leaders as effective and authentic, and they exhibited a stronger external locus of control and higher General Self-Efficacy (GSE). Significant differences were observed based on nationality, ward assignment, and authentic leadership, with associated implications for locus of control and GSE. Authentic leadership exhibited a moderate positive correlation with the external locus of control and a strong positive correlation with the internal locus of control. However, no significant correlation was found between authentic leadership and GSE. These findings emphasize the potential of leadership development programs to nurture genuine leadership skills among nurse managers, creating conducive work environments that foster self-efficacy and enhance retention of newcomers to the nursing profession.