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. 2022 Jul;71(3):935-958.
doi: 10.1111/apps.12351. Epub 2021 Oct 28.

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

Yuyan Zheng  1 , Chia-Huei Wu  2   3 , Xiaotong Janey Zheng  4 , Jingzhou Pan  5
Affiliations

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

Yuyan Zheng et al. Appl Psychol. 2022 Jul.

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 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.

Keywords: COVID‐19; entrapment; leaders; leadership responsibility; well‐being.

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Conflict of interest statement

No conflicts of interests.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Hypothesised model. t1 = measured at Time 1; t2 = measured at Time 2; t3 = measured at Time 3
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
The relationship between unclear demands and entrapment under conditions of low and high leadership responsibility
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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