The mediating role of job autonomy in the relationships between self-leadership and job satisfaction: A study on public healthcare workers

This study investigates the relationship between self-leadership of healthcare workers and job satisfaction. The mediating role of perceived job autonomy in this relationship is also examined. Research data were obtained from healthcare workers (medical doctors, nurses, midwives, healthcare technicians, janitors, and other healthcare staff) in health institutions operating in the public sector. The survey method and convenience sampling technique were used in data collection. The mediating role of perceived autonomy in the relationship between self-leadership and job satisfaction was determined using the SPSS Process Macro program, and its mediating role in the relationship between self-leadership strategies and job satisfaction was determined through the AMOS program. As a result of the analyses carried out, it was concluded that perceived autonomy mediates the relationship between self-leadership and job satisfaction. Looking at the results of the analyses made based on sub-dimensions, it was found that none of the sub-dimensions predicted autonomy in a meaningful way. It was determined that only the dimension of natural reward strategies predicted job satisfaction positively and significantly. In the revised model, the mediation hypotheses were not included, and only the direct links from natural rewards to job autonomy significantly predicted participants’ satisfaction with their jobs.