Perceived Leadership Styles of Women Religious Community Superiors and Psycho-Spiritual Life Skills of Their Community Members in Langata Constituency, Kenya

This study examined the relationship between the leadership styles of women’s religious community superiors and the psycho-spiritual life skills of their community members (Religious sisters) in selected universities in Langata Constituency, Nairobi County, Kenya. The objectives included identifying leadership styles, assessing psycho-spiritual life skills and examining their relationship. Grounded in Servant Leadership Theory and Social Cognitive Theory, the study employed a concurrent parallel mixed-methods design. Using Cochran’s (1977) formula for an infinite population, a sample of 385 participants was determined. Convenience sampling was used to select 368 participants for quantitative data collection, with 265 questionnaires returned, yielding a 72.01% response rate. Qualitative data were gathered from 17 purposively selected participants. Data collection tools included the Servant Leadership Behavioural Scale (SLBS-6), Leadership Styles Questionnaire (LSQ), and Psycho-Spiritual Life Skills Scale (P-SLSS). Quantitative data were analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data underwent thematic analysis. Triangulation enriched the findings. Significant positive correlations were found between leadership styles and psycho-spiritual life skills. Autocratic (r = .122, p < .05), democratic (r = .131, p < .05), and laissez-faire (r = .172, p < .01) leadership styles were positively associated with Psycho-spiritual life skills. Although servant leadership showed no statistical significance (r = .093, p > .05), qualitative findings highlighted its profound influence. These results presented the role of adaptive, empathetic, and spiritually grounded leadership in enhancing psycho-spiritual life skills. The study offers valuable insights for improving formation programs and governance models in religious communities, enhancing trust, collaboration, resilience and holistic development.