Karissa M Fenwick1, Kim C Brimhall1, Michael Hurlburt1, Gregory Aarons1. 1. Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles (Fenwick, Hurlburt); Child and Adolescent Services Research Center (Hurlburt, Aarons) and Department of Psychiatry (Aarons), University of California, San Diego; Department of Social Work, Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton (Brimhall).
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify the mechanisms through which different aspects of leadership affect mental health practitioners' attitudes toward supervisory feedback. METHODS: Data were collected from 363 practitioners nested in 68 treatment teams in public-sector mental health organizations. A multilevel path analysis was conducted to examine the associations of transformational leadership (supervisor's ability to inspire others to follow a course of action) and leader-member exchange (quality of the supervisor-practitioner relationship) with practitioner attitudes toward feedback. RESULTS: Transformational leadership and leader-member exchange were directly and positively associated with practitioners' attitudes toward feedback. Transformational leadership was also indirectly associated with practitioners' attitudes toward feedback through the quality of supervisor-practitioner relationships. CONCLUSIONS: Study results contribute to the growing body of evidence suggesting that leaders play a key role in shaping mental health service delivery. Both leadership behavior and high-quality supervisor-practitioner relationships are important in supporting practitioners in delivering evidence-based mental health care. Policymakers, administrators, and researchers should consider an integrative approach when developing leadership training interventions.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify the mechanisms through which different aspects of leadership affect mental health practitioners' attitudes toward supervisory feedback. METHODS: Data were collected from 363 practitioners nested in 68 treatment teams in public-sector mental health organizations. A multilevel path analysis was conducted to examine the associations of transformational leadership (supervisor's ability to inspire others to follow a course of action) and leader-member exchange (quality of the supervisor-practitioner relationship) with practitioner attitudes toward feedback. RESULTS: Transformational leadership and leader-member exchange were directly and positively associated with practitioners' attitudes toward feedback. Transformational leadership was also indirectly associated with practitioners' attitudes toward feedback through the quality of supervisor-practitioner relationships. CONCLUSIONS: Study results contribute to the growing body of evidence suggesting that leaders play a key role in shaping mental health service delivery. Both leadership behavior and high-quality supervisor-practitioner relationships are important in supporting practitioners in delivering evidence-based mental health care. Policymakers, administrators, and researchers should consider an integrative approach when developing leadership training interventions.
Authors: Noah Ivers; Gro Jamtvedt; Signe Flottorp; Jane M Young; Jan Odgaard-Jensen; Simon D French; Mary Ann O'Brien; Marit Johansen; Jeremy Grimshaw; Andrew D Oxman Journal: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Date: 2012-06-13
Authors: Gregory A Aarons; Amy E Green; Lawrence A Palinkas; Shannon Self-Brown; Daniel J Whitaker; John R Lutzker; Jane F Silovsky; Debra B Hecht; Mark J Chaffin Journal: Implement Sci Date: 2012-04-18 Impact factor: 7.327