Effect of Shared Leadership on Nursing Students' Team Performance in Team-Based Learning: Mediating Effect of Team Efficacy

Introduction: This study analyzed the effects of shared leadership on nursing students' team performance in team-based learning, and the mediating effect of team efficacy on this relationship. The team-based learning literature tends to focus on personal-level performance, whereas research measuring team-level performance remains scarce. The present study was intended to address this gap. Methods: This study adopted a descriptive correlation design. A questionnaire survey was conducted with 77 third-year nursing students enrolled in a practical course implementing team-based learning at a university. Team-based learning was delivered through team-based simulation training for 8 weeks. Data were collected from February to June 2023. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to assess the relationships among shared leadership, team performance, and participants' perceived team efficacy. Regression analysis was used to test the effects of shared leadership on team performance and team efficacy, as well as the mediating role of team efficacy in the relationship between shared leadership and team performance. Results: Shared leadership had a significant positive effect on team performance in team-based learning, and team efficacy partially mediated this relationship. Conclusion: These results suggest that measures to enhance team efficacy among team members during team-based learning in universities may positively affect team performance and team efficacy, thereby contributing to positive learning outcomes. When implementing team-based learning in universities, instructor coaching, aimed at guiding team members to share leadership can encourage participation and role fulfillment, thereby strengthening shared leadership.