The effects of instructional leadership on teacher well-being: the mediating roles of professional learning community and teacher self-efficacy

This study was prompted by the scarcity of empirical investigation regarding the relationship between instructional leadership and teacher well-being through the mediating roles of professional learning communities and teacher self-efficacy in Chinese school settings. Data from 1158 primary and secondary school teachers in South China were collected for analysis. Partial least squares structural equation modelling was employed for data analysis. The results indicated a positive relationship between principal instructional leadership and teacher well-being after controlling for teacher demographic factors. Instructional leadership has a substantial impact on the professional learning community. Both professional learning communities and teacher self-efficacy emerged as significant serial mediators in the structural model. Principal instructional leadership, professional learning communities, and teacher self-efficacy collectively explained approximately 43% of the variance in teacher well-being. These findings inform practical and theoretical implications, suggesting avenues for enhancing principal instructional leadership and, consequently, fostering teacher well-being in the hierarchical Chinese education setting.