The Mediating Role of Job Satisfaction on The Effect of Leadership Styles on Teacher's Job Performance in Senior Secondary Schools in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between leadership style and teachers' performance, mediated by job satisfaction in senior secondary schools in the Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State. The study formulated five research questions and five hypotheses to guide the research. The study drew upon the Transformational and Transactional Theory by Bass (1985). A correlational survey research design was employed, and 263 questionnaires were administered. Out of the total, 250 questionnaires were returned, resulting in a return rate of 95.1%. The researcher adopted the Leadership Style Questionnaire (LSQ), the Job Satisfaction Questionnaire (JSQ), and the Teachers' Job Performance Questionnaire (OPQ). The computed reliability coefficients were 0.86 for the LSQ, 0.88 for the JSQ, and 0.90 for the teachers' job performance. The collected data were analysed using multiple regression analysis with the aid of PLS-SEM 4. The findings of the study revealed a significant positive relationship between the variables: H1 (β = 0.063, t-stat = 1.7665, p-value = 0.010), H2 (β = 0.053, t-stat = 12.50, p-value = 0.001), and H3 (β = 0.050, t-stat = 6.531, p-value = 0.000). These hypotheses were supported, as their t-values exceeded the threshold of 1.64 for one-tailed tests. Additional analysis was conducted to examine the mediating role of job satisfaction in the direct relationship (β = 0.048, t-stat = 1.083, p-value = 0.00). This indicates that job satisfaction mediates the relationship between leadership style and teachers' job performance. Based on the study's findings, it is recommended, among other things, that Nigerian education ministry and boards emphasize the leadership behaviour of secondary school principals, as such efforts may not only enhance teachers' job performance and commitment but also facilitate integrated instruction planning and goal attainment. Regular payment of teachers' salaries and improvements in their working conditions are also recommended to enhance job satisfaction.