How Does Transformational Leadership Relieve Teacher Burnout: The Role of Self-Efficacy and Emotional Intelligence

This study explored the underlying mechanisms and boundary conditions of the relationship between transformational leadership and teacher burnout. Specifically, it investigated the mediating role of teacher self-efficacy and the moderating role of teacher emotional intelligence (EI) in this relationship. Data from 539 primary and secondary school teachers were analyzed using Structural Equation Model and hierarchical regression. The results indicate that transformational leadership predicted teacher burnout negatively, self-efficacy mediated the association of transformational leadership with burnout partially, and EI strengthened the association between transformational leadership and burnout. This study has important theoretical and managerial implications as it deepens the understanding of the association between transformational leadership and burnout in the educational field and provides practical suggestions on how to relieve teacher burnout in the school context.