Abstract: The Effects of Transformational Leadership and Leader-Member Exchange on Attitudes Toward Feedback (Society for Social Work and Research 21st Annual Conference - Ensure Healthy Development for all Youth)

Schedule:

Saturday, January 14, 2017: 9:45 AM

Balconies K (New Orleans Marriott)

* noted as presenting author

Karissa Fenwick, MSW, Doctoral Candidate, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA

Kim C. Brimhall, MSW, CSW, PhD Student, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA

Gregory Aarons, PhD, Professor, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA 92123, CA

Background: Despite numerous findings linking evidence-based practices (EBPs) to improved client outcomes, substantial barriers to the implementation of EBPs remain. Supervisor feedback can improve mental health providers’ use of EBPs by improving attitudes toward EBPs, increasing fidelity, and assisting with the adaptation of EBPs to specific client problems, populations, or settings. Leadership plays a key role in influencing providers’ attitudes toward receiving feedback; however, more research is needed to identify the mechanisms through which leadership is transmitted. We examined the associations between two aspects of leadership: 1) transformational leadership (TL; the supervisors’ ability to inspire others to follow a course of action); and 2) leader-member exchange (LMX; the quality of the relationship between the supervisor and provider) and providers’ attitudes toward receiving feedback.

Methods: Survey data were collected from 363 providers in 68 mental health teams and analyzed using hierarchical linear models in Stata. The feedback scale of the Evidence-Based Practice Attitude Scale-50 was used to measure provider attitudes toward receiving feedback. TL was measured using Bass and Avolio’s Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire, and LMX was measured using Scandura and Graen’s LMX scale. Baron and Kenny’s mediation test and the Sobel test for mediation were used to test direct and indirect associations of TL with attitudes toward receiving feedback mediated through LMX.

Results: TL (β= .23, z = 3.02, p<.01) and LMX (β= .15, z = 3.36, p<.001) were significantly positively associated with provider attitudes toward receiving feedback. All conditions for mediation were met and the Sobel test for indirect effects was significant (3.52, p<.001).

Conclusions: Both leadership style (TL) and the quality of the supervisory relationship (LMX) are associated with positive provider attitudes toward receiving feedback. Transformational leadership positively influences attitudes toward feedback through its influence on the relationship between supervisor and provider. Social work managers should be trained in both aspects of leadership to optimally support providers in the delivery of evidence-based mental health care.