Leadership and employee perceived stress: moderating role of financial threat and co-worker support

This study investigated factors that influence the relationship between leadership styles (transformational and laissez-faire) and employee perceived stress during COVID-19 (N = 145). Using the Conservation of resources theory, I identified and tested two factors that may moderate the effects of leadership styles on employee perceived stress: financial threat and co-worker support. Co-worker support was found to moderate the relationship between transformational leadership and employee perceived stress. Financial threat was found to moderate the relationship between laissez-faire leadership and employee perceived stress. These findings contribute to the literature on leadership and employee stress and suggest that co-worker support and financial threat could moderate the positive or negative outcomes related to leadership styles