The present study tests a multiple mediation model concerning complex relationships between transformational leadership and employee health. Based on recent transformational leadership research, we suggest that transformational leadership may be able to decrease cognitive and emotional strain by reducing perceived job demands and enhancing personal resources among employees. A sample of 1,074 employees participated in a cross-sectional study in Germany. Results confirmed the hypothesized multiple mediation model. Thus, transformational leadership and employees’ short-term work related strain were negatively associated. However, the study suggests that a health-promoting effect of transformational leadership may better be explained due to the reduction of job demands and an enhancement of personal resources.

The link between leaders' behaviour and health has only recently been the focus of scientific research and the results which already exist on this topic have, to date, not been systematically evaluated or summarized. The objective of this article is to make an attempt to provide a summarised overview of the current state of research. Subject-related databases list 42 publications dealing with the relationship between leaders' behaviour and the state of health and well-being of their employees. The literature discusses leaders' behaviour as being both a stressor (source of stress) and a resource. The publications discussed here also provide the first empirical evidence on the influence of various leadership styles on the health of the employees. In particular, transformational and employee-orientated leadership are considered to be beneficial to health. But the question of how leaders' behaviour influences health has not been satisfactorily explained. In most of the publications included, a direct link was assumed and, in the majority of cases, confirmed empirically. In addition, it also appears that there may be an indirect influence which may be moderated or mediated by, e. g., working conditions or the personality of the individual. The relatively small number of research examinations into the influence of leaders' behaviour on the health and well-being of their staff shows that there is a need for additional research.

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The results corroborate the findings from other studies wherein residents of old age homes constitute a group at risk of alcohol abuse and dependence. Alcohol problems were more the cause for, rather than the consequence of, home admission.

Zusammenfassung. Der Forschungsstand zur psychischen Gesundheit der Führungskräfte wurde bisher nicht systematisch ausgewertet. Die folgende Literaturübersicht fasst Ergebnisse aus 34 klinisch-epidemiologischen sowie arbeitspsychologischen Studien qualitativ und quantitativ zusammen. Ausgewertet wurden Ergebnisse zur Verbreitung psychischer Beeinträchtigungen (Fragestellung 1) sowie zu arbeitsbezogenen Risiko- und Schutzfaktoren (Fragestellung 2). Es liegen Ergebnisse zu fünf unterschiedlichen Gesundheitsrisiken vor: psychische Gesundheit und Wohlbefinden, depressive und psychosomatische Symptome, Burnout, Irritation und psychischer Stress. Die bisherige Befundlage zu Fragestellung 1 ist zu heterogen, um hieraus Trends ableiten zu können. Eindeutiger zu interpretieren sind Ergebnisse zu den Risiko- und Schutzfaktoren: Die quantitative Arbeitsbelastung und Konflikte durch die Führungsrolle wiesen jeweils in mehreren Studien signifikante Zusammenhänge mit den psychischen Risiken auf. Arbeitsplatzsicherheit, soziale Unterstützung und Handlungsspielraum erwiesen sich als protektive Faktoren. Aus den Ergebnissen des Reviews werden der weitere Forschungsbedarf sowie spezifische Präventionsstrategien abgeleitet.