Distributed leadership strengthening the role of transformational leadership in enhancing teacher psychological capital and well-being

Purpose This study explored the mediating role of psychological capital and the moderating role of distributed leadership in the relationship between principals’ transformational leadership and teachers’ well-being to understand how integrating distributed and transformational leadership could enhance teacher psychological capital and well-being. Design/methodology/approach A multilevel moderated mediation analysis was conducted using the data collected from 994 teachers across 70 schools in Türkiye. Findings We found a positive relationship between transformational leadership and teacher psychological capital, which was then related to teacher well-being, indicating an indirect relationship through psychological capital. Distributed leadership significantly moderated the direct relationship between transformational leadership and teacher psychological capital and the indirect relationship between transformational leadership and teacher well-being through psychological capital. Originality/value This study offers evidence for shared/collaborative transformational leadership by indicating that integrating transformational and distributed leadership enhances teachers’ psychological capital and well-being.