The effects of hierarchical relationship on well-being: Example of healthcare professionals

Institutions of modern societies are organized around some legitimate hierarchies. In this thesis, we aimed to explore the association implementing hierarchical motives into work relationships and the well-being of healthcare professionals. In a cross-sectional (N = 226) and a 15 days daily diary (N = 156) designs, we explored how ingroup identification, personality traits (system justification, social dominance orientation, and Big5), and hierarchical positions were associated with the well-being of healthcare professionals. Our results showed that identification with healthcare professionals and emotional stability were associated with well-being and positive experience. We also found that higher frequency of daily hierarchical relationships when the participants were in a superior position was positively associated with that day's well-being, positive experience, enjoying working on the same day, and motivation to go to work on the following day. However, the frequency of relationships when the participants were in a subordinate position was not associated with the well-being outcomes in our sample. We discussed the implications of the findings in terms of workplace organization structures and the well-being of healthcare professionals.