When Leaders Are Safe Havens: How Secure Base Leadership Buffers the Impact of Emotional Demands on Exhaustion

María C. Navas-Jiménez, Ana Laguia, Rocio Schettini, Fidel Rodríguez-Batalla, David Guillén-Corchado and Juan A. Moriano ()
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María C. Navas-Jiménez: Department of Social and Organizational Psychology, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), 28040 Madrid, Spain
Ana Laguia: Department of Social and Organizational Psychology, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), 28040 Madrid, Spain
Rocio Schettini: Fundación de la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain
Fidel Rodríguez-Batalla: Fundación de la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain
David Guillén-Corchado: Centro Asociado Madrid, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), 28012 Madrid, Spain
Juan A. Moriano: Department of Social and Organizational Psychology, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), 28040 Madrid, Spain

Merits, 2025, vol. 5, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: Based on attachment theory, this research explores Secure Base Leadership’s (SBL) efficacy in mitigating the negative impact of emotional demands on employee exhaustion, with an aim to reduce burnout rates and improve workplace well-being. A survey sample of 428 Spanish employees from various sectors was collected, and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to test the research model. Emotional demands were found to significantly increase employee exhaustion, whereas SBL reduced and moderated these effects, proving its protective function. Furthermore, increased exhaustion was associated with longer tenure and employment in private organizations. Findings support integrating SBL in leadership development to foster a supportive environment, mitigate burnout, and boost employee well-being. Highlighting the application of attachment theory in organizational settings, this study contributes to understanding SBL’s effectiveness against emotional demands, guiding leadership practices to enhance organizational health.

Keywords: leadership; emotional intelligence; exhaustion; attachment theory; stress; job demands–resources (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J L M (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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