The Influence Of Altruistic Leadership On Positive Emotions And Work-Life Balance

Abstract

This study aims to examine the impact of altruistic leadership on employees’ work-life balance and to investigate the mediating role of positive emotions in this relationship. In an organizational climate increasingly characterized by emotional strain and rising work-family conflict, understanding how leadership behavior influences psychological well-being has become imperative. This quantitative study employed a causal-explanatory design with a sample of 167 civil servants and contract employees at the Secretariat Office of the Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD) of Indragiri Hilir Regency, Indonesia. Respondents were selected using proportional stratified random sampling. Data were collected through structured questionnaires measuring altruistic leadership, positive emotions, and work-life balance using validated Likert-scale instruments. Structural Equation Modeling–Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) with SmartPLS 3.2.9 was used to test both direct and indirect relationships. The results revealed that altruistic leadership positively and significantly influences both positive emotions and work-life balance. Additionally, positive emotions have a significant effect on work-life balance and mediate the relationship between altruistic leadership and work-life balance. This study contributes to the literature on leadership and organizational behavior by positioning positive emotions as a psychological mechanism linking altruistic leadership and work-life integration. Unlike previous studies that primarily explored direct relationships, this research offers an affective perspective grounded in the Broaden-and-Build and Affective Events theories. Given the findings, managers and policymakers, particularly in the public sector, are encouraged to foster altruistic leadership practices and emotional well-being programs to enhance employee balance and performance.