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Toxic Leadership and Turnover Intentions: The Role of Burnout Syndrome

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  • Abiúd Nunes

    (Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Tecnologia, Universidade Europeia, Quinta do Bom Nome, Estr. da Correia 53, 1500-210 Lisboa, Portugal)

  • Ana Palma-Moreira

    (Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Tecnologia, Universidade Europeia, Quinta do Bom Nome, Estr. da Correia 53, 1500-210 Lisboa, Portugal
    APPsyCI—Applied Psychology Research Center Capabilities & Inclusion, ISPA—Instituto Universitário, 1149-041 Lisboa, Portugal)

Abstract

This study aimed to test the effect of toxic leadership on turnover intentions and whether burnout syndrome mediates this relationship. This study’s sample consists of 309 participants who work in organizations based in Portugal and Angola. The results indicate that toxic leadership positively and significantly affects burnout syndrome and turnover intentions. As for burnout, only the disengagement dimension positively and significantly affects turnover intentions. Disengagement partially mediates the relationship between toxic leadership and turnover intentions for participants working in Portugal and a total mediation effect for participants working in Angola. Organizations should be concerned about the leadership style adopted by their leaders, because if there is a toxic leader, this will lead to burnout syndrome in their subordinates and cause them to leave the organization, since turnover intentions are the best predictor of voluntary departure from the organization.

Suggested Citation

  • Abiúd Nunes & Ana Palma-Moreira, 2024. "Toxic Leadership and Turnover Intentions: The Role of Burnout Syndrome," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-22, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jadmsc:v:14:y:2024:i:12:p:340-:d:1548358
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Irina Raquel Rodrigues & Ana Palma-Moreira & Manuel Au-Yong-Oliveira, 2025. "Let Me Know What Kind of Leader You Are, and I Will Tell You If I Stay: The Role of Well-Being in the Relationship Between Leadership and Turnover Intentions," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-31, July.

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