Group Dynamics: Theory, Research, and Practice, Vol 28(4), Dec 2024, 292-308; doi:10.1037/gdn0000211
Objective: To understand whether team member support reduces team leader stress. Method: In Phase 1, we used hierarchical linear modeling with survey data and administrative records from 45 Veterans Health Administration teams (73 providers and 228 associated members) to investigate how teamwork support mitigates leader stress. In Phase 2, we adopted a parallel/simultaneous mixed methods design, utilizing open- and close-ended responses from 267 additional Veterans Health Administration providers. With the mixed methods design, we first analyzed open-ended responses using directed content analysis and hypothesis coding. Next, we transformed our codes into counts and compared them with closed-ended responses to understand whether teamwork support allows leaders to engage in work aligned with their qualifications. Results: As predicted, providers’ role conflict corresponded with decreased performance under low teamwork support, but this negative relationship was attenuated with high teamwork support as such support allows leaders to focus on tasks they are uniquely qualified to perform. Conclusions: These findings emphasize the facilitative nature of teams in supporting leaders: Followers provide teamwork support that helps leaders navigate role conflict by allowing leaders to work on tasks consistent with their qualifications. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)