Health Promoting Leadership: The Mediating Role of an Organizational Health Culture

Drawing from the findings within the safety literature, the present study identifies the effects of leadership on an organizational health culture and strain. The importance of leadership for the development of a corporate health culture is demonstrated as well as the positive effect of health culture on employee strain level. Empirical data from a longitudinal study in the German tax administration is presented. Leadership has a positive impact on the development of a corporate health culture, which in turn reduces employees’ strain level. Discussion addresses the similarities of health and safety leadership regarding effects and mediating processes.