WORK VALUES AND PERCEPTION OF LEADERSHIP STYLE IN NURSING STAFF.

Abstract

To identify the profile of work values according to nursing professionals and analyze the relationship, if any, of such values with the perception of leadership styles. Material and Methods. The EVAT-30 and the SDBQ questionnaires were used in this study. The sample comprised 160 nurses of an Almería public hospital, in the south of Spain. This study was carried out in October 2005. Results. Values associated with authority/power, tradition, achievement and self-direction are deemed most important by nursing professionals. Perception of the task-oriented leader’s behavior positively correlates with values of authority/power, confidence and achievement, and negatively correlates with values of benevolence and universalism. Perception of the relationship/considerationoriented leader’s behavior positively correlates with values of universalism, achievement, tradition and self-direction. Conclusion. These results suggest that the perception of leadership styles may influence the set of values held in high esteem by subordinates.