The Role of Leader-Member Exchange in Teacher Stress, Burnout, and Depression

Leader-member exchange is one of the most important concepts that contributes to the increase of performance and productivity in organizations. Leader-member exchange focuses on the two sided relationship between leader and follower. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between leader-member exchange (school administrator-teacher) and teacher’s level of stress, burnout and depression. This research was designed by relational model. The sample consists of 437 teachers that were randomly selected with cluster sampling method from 48 schools in Hatay city during 2018-2019 academic year. Data were gathered via Leader-Member Exchange Scale, Stress Scale, Burnout Scale and Depression Scale. The measurement model shows that research variables have statistically significant relationships with each other. Structural equation modeling points out that leader-member exchange has a statistically significant and negative impact on teachers’ level of stress and burnout. Leader-member exchange negatively influences teachers’ depression level through the full mediation effects of stress and burnout. Based on the findings of this current study, in order to reduce teachers’ negative feelings or prevent it from occurring, a quality administrator-teacher exchange is required