The effect of work–family conflict and hindrance stress on nurses' satisfaction: the role of ethical leadership

Purpose The main aim of this study is to explore the moderating role of ethical leadership on the indirect effect of work–family conflict on nurses' job satisfaction via hindrance stress. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire was answered by 224 nursing professionals working in public and private health institutions. Findings A mediation–moderation model was estimated, and the results thereof indicated that work–family conflict has an indirect negative effect on satisfaction through the mediation mechanism of hindrance stress. Results also show that ethical leadership enhances this mediated relationship. Research limitations/implications The cross-sectional data limited the generalization of results. Future research should develop longitudinal studies, which will allow for conclusions to be drawn with regard to inferences of causality. Practical implications It is recommended that health organizations should develop ethical training for their leaders. By doing so, they will address two issues: the conciliation between work and family as well as the reduction of job stress, which will subsequently improve job satisfaction. Originality/value The originality of this empirical study lies in the exploration of the moderating role of ethical leadership in the indirect effect of work–family conflict, which, in turn, impacts on job satisfaction via the hindrance stress experienced by nurses. The study is innovative in the sense that it seeks to gain a greater understanding of the moderation–mediation mechanisms of the variables under study.