Journal of East China Normal University(Educationa ›› 2026, Vol. 44 ›› Issue (1): 105-117.doi: 10.16382/j.cnki.1000-5560.2026.01.009

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How Principals’ Authentic Leadership Impacts Teachers’ Participation in School Decision Making: A Moderated Chain Mediation Model

Chuanyou Bao, Xiaoyu Wang   

  1. Faculty of Education, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
  • Accepted:2025-08-29 Online:2026-01-01 Published:2025-12-31

Abstract:

Based on self-determination theory and career construction theory, this study systematically examines the impact of principals' authentic leadership on teachers' participation in school decision-making and its underlying mechanism. The results indicate that principals' authentic leadership significantly and positively predicts teachers' participation in school decision-making; basic psychological need satisfaction and job crafting each play a partial mediating role between principals' authentic leadership and teachers' participation in school decision-making, while the chain mediating effect of "basic psychological need satisfaction-job crafting" is also verified in this relationship. Additionally, teachers' career adaptability positively moderates the association between principals' authentic leadership and teachers' participation in school decision-making—specifically, the higher teachers' career adaptability, the stronger the positive impact of principals' authentic leadership on teachers' participation in school decision-making. Therefore, to promote teachers' participation in school decision-making and enhance school governance effectiveness, it is necessary to: improve principals' authentic leadership through the spirit of educators and foster a culture of respect and democracy; innovate teacher incentive mechanisms to stimulate their intrinsic motivation for participation; and emphasize the cultivation of teachers' career adaptability to enhance their capacity for effective participation.

Key words: principals’ authentic leadership, teachers’ participation in school decision-making, basic psychological needs satisfaction, job crafting, career adaptability