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Volume 25, Issue 157 (3-2026)
Journal of Psychological Science 2026, 25(157): 1-17 |
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hashempour B, Taghvaee A, Feizi Zengir M. (2026). Examining the Mediating Role of Role Conflict in the Relationship Between Dark Leadership Personality and Job Stress among Headquarters Staff of the Ministry of Education. Journal of Psychological Science. 25(157), 1-17. doi:10.61186/jps.25.157.19
URL: http://psychologicalscience.ir/article-1-3039-en.html
URL: http://psychologicalscience.ir/article-1-3039-en.html
Department of Psychology, Naein Branch, Islamic Azad University, Naein, Iran. , alireza.taghvaee@iau.ac.ir
Abstract: (118 Views)
Background: In recent years, researchers’ attention has shifted from the positive aspects of leadership to examining the dark dimensions of leaders’ personalities. These traits can increase role conflict, which in turn may lead to higher levels of job stress among employees. However, within the organizational context of Iran—and particularly in the Ministry of Education—few studies have investigated these relationships.
Aims: The aim of this study was to examine the mediating role of role conflict in the relationship between dark leadership personality and job stress among headquarters staff of the Ministry of Education.
Methods: This research employed a descriptive–correlational design with a structural equation modeling approach. The statistical population consisted of all headquarters staff of the Ministry of Education (N = 1,300). Using Cochran’s formula, a sample of 297 individuals was selected through simple random sampling. The research instruments included a researcher-developed Dark Leadership Personality Questionnaire (45 items), the Role Conflict Questionnaire (Rizzo et al., 1970), and the Job Stress Questionnaire (Saremi et al., 2021). Data were analyzed using SPSS-26 and LISREL 8.8 software, and direct and indirect relationships were assessed via the bootstrap method.
Results: The findings revealed a positive and significant relationship between all dimensions of dark leadership personality and both role conflict and job stress (p < 0.05). Job stress had the strongest association with narcissism and excessive power-seeking, while role conflict was most strongly associated with Machiavellianism. Structural equation modeling indicated that all dimensions of dark leadership personality had significant direct effects on job stress and role conflict (p < 0.05), and that role conflict significantly mediated the relationship between dark leadership personality and job stress (p < 0.05). The model fit indices confirmed a good fit between the proposed model and the empirical data.
Conclusion: The results highlight the importance of role conflict as a mediating variable in the relationship between dark leadership styles and job stress. Reducing role conflict through job redefinition, enhancing organizational communication, and modifying leadership styles could mitigate the negative effects of dark leadership on employees’ psychological well-being.
Aims: The aim of this study was to examine the mediating role of role conflict in the relationship between dark leadership personality and job stress among headquarters staff of the Ministry of Education.
Methods: This research employed a descriptive–correlational design with a structural equation modeling approach. The statistical population consisted of all headquarters staff of the Ministry of Education (N = 1,300). Using Cochran’s formula, a sample of 297 individuals was selected through simple random sampling. The research instruments included a researcher-developed Dark Leadership Personality Questionnaire (45 items), the Role Conflict Questionnaire (Rizzo et al., 1970), and the Job Stress Questionnaire (Saremi et al., 2021). Data were analyzed using SPSS-26 and LISREL 8.8 software, and direct and indirect relationships were assessed via the bootstrap method.
Results: The findings revealed a positive and significant relationship between all dimensions of dark leadership personality and both role conflict and job stress (p < 0.05). Job stress had the strongest association with narcissism and excessive power-seeking, while role conflict was most strongly associated with Machiavellianism. Structural equation modeling indicated that all dimensions of dark leadership personality had significant direct effects on job stress and role conflict (p < 0.05), and that role conflict significantly mediated the relationship between dark leadership personality and job stress (p < 0.05). The model fit indices confirmed a good fit between the proposed model and the empirical data.
Conclusion: The results highlight the importance of role conflict as a mediating variable in the relationship between dark leadership styles and job stress. Reducing role conflict through job redefinition, enhancing organizational communication, and modifying leadership styles could mitigate the negative effects of dark leadership on employees’ psychological well-being.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2025/07/22 | Accepted: 2025/08/23 | Published: 2026/03/21
Received: 2025/07/22 | Accepted: 2025/08/23 | Published: 2026/03/21
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This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)