Leadership and Conflict Management Styles Among Nurse Managers in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

This research was conducted in the northern part of Saudi Arabia to determine the prevalence of leadership styles and styles of conflict management among nursing care staff and to see if there is a correlation between the two. A total of 91 male and female nursing leaders from seven different locations participated in the study. The research used a shortened version of the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire to assess leadership styles, and found that there was no significant difference between male and female nurses in any of the leadership styles. The study found that the most commonly used conflict management style among nursing leaders was the integrated style, followed by avoiding, compromising, competing, and accommodating. The transformational leadership style was found to be positively correlated with the inspirational motivation, contingent reward, management-by-exception, and laissez-faire leadership styles. The transactional leadership style was found to be significantly and positively correlated with the laissez-faire leadership style and negatively correlated with the compromising and avoiding styles. The study suggests that policies and initiatives are needed to improve the working environment for nurses.

Keywords: leadership style, conflict management, nurses organizational behavior, Nursing, Saudi Arabia

DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/105-03

Publication date: January 31^st 2023