Ledarskapets betydelse för arbetskrav och arbetsresurser i relation till psykisk hälsa : - En kvalitativ studie om distansarbetares upplevelser

Sammanfattning

Aim: The aim of this study was to explore remote workers’ experiences of the importance of leadership for their job demands and job resources in relation to their mental health. Method: A qualitative approach was used, with semi-structured interviews conducted with 12 white-collar employees working remotely at least three days per week. Data were analyzed using a qualitative content analysis, and the Job Demands-Resources model guided the interpretation of how leadership shaped job demands, job resources, and mental health. Results: Leadership is perceived as central in shaping remote workers’ job demands and job resources in relation to mental health, functioning either as a balancing or a burdensome force. Balancing leadership, through operational and relational support and creation of sustainable conditions for remote work, can contribute to reduced job demands, strengthened job resources, and improve mental health. In contrast, burdensome leadership, characterized by monitoring, control and lack of support, can increase job demands, reduce job resources and impair mental health among remote workers. Conclusion: Leadership appears central to how remote workers perceive their job demands and job resources in relation to mental health. Providing an employee perspective, the study contributes to occupational health science and offers practical implications for digital leadership.