The relationship between authentic leadership and emotional labor: The mediating role of academic optimism, affective commitment and organizational citizenship behavior

In this study, the multiple mediating effects of teacher academic optimism, affective commitment and organizational citizenship behavior variables on the relationship between principal authentic leadership and teachers' emotional labor were examined. In this quantitative research, a model test was conducted from survey designs. A total of 1025 teachers working in public schools at primary, secondary and high school levels in Kırıkkale city center participated in the study. Personal information form, Authentic Leadership Scale, Affective Commitment Scale, Organizational Citizenship Behavior Scale, Teacher Academic Optimism Scale and Emotional Labor Scale were applied to the participants. Descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient calculations, confirmatory factor analysis and multiple mediation model were used to analyze the data. According to the results of the multiple mediation model, the sequential mediation effect of affective commitment and organizational citizenship behaviors and the sequential mediation effect of teacher academic optimism and organizational citizenship behaviors were found statistically significant in the relationship between principal authentic leadership and teachers' deep acting and genuine emotions. However, the direct and indirect multiple mediating effects of affective commitment, teacher academic optimism, and organizational citizenship behavior on the relationship between principal authentic leadership and teachers' surface acting behaviors were not statistically significant. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the impact of principal authentic leadership on teachers' emotional labor through teacher academic optimism, affective commitment, and organizational citizenship behavior.