Relationship-oriented leadership was linked to better well-being in emergency workers
A systematic review found associations with greater job satisfaction and engagement, and less burnout and stress, among police officers and firefighters. It does not establish that leadership changes caused these differences.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Across the reviewed studies, relationship-oriented leadership was associated with better work-related well-being and fewer negative outcomes. The findings include job satisfaction, engagement, burnout and stress, but they describe correlations rather than demonstrated effects of a leadership program. This abstract-based account therefore supports a research question about workplace relationships, not a proven way to prevent distress.
The abstract gives no effect sizes, follow-up periods or details of the individual study designs. Evidence focused more on police officers than firefighters, limiting how evenly the findings represent these professions.
What was connected
The reported links extended beyond job satisfaction and stress. Leadership style was also associated with emotional regulation, self-esteem, organizational support and shared values, as well as fewer physical complaints and lower intentions to leave a job.
From association to a program
The authors call for leadership programs focused on relationship-oriented skills. However, the abstract does not report a trial of such a program, so its findings cannot establish whether training leaders would improve workers' health.
The original publication
Leadership and well-being among emergency professionals: A systematic literature review.
Carmona L, Pinheiro R, Chambel MJ
J Emerg Manag · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 41171189
- Record checked
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