Authentic Leadership as a mediator in the relationship between Psychological Contract Breach and Organizational Cynicism among nurses

Background: Leaders play a crucial role in employees' lives by providing guidance and accomplishing their priorities and targets. The more real the leaders are, the more psychological contract breaches the employees will have, which will make them more likely to stay with the entity. Moreover, a positive work environment and a reduced sense of organizational cynicism can enhance an organization's reputation, making it attractive to prospective nurses and improving recruitment efforts. The aim of the study: is to explore the relationship between authentic leadership, psychological contract breaches, and organizational cynicism. In addition, we are testing a new mediation model of authentic leadership between psychological contract breaches and organizational cynicism among staff nurses. Research design: A descriptive correlation design was used. Sample: A convenience sample of 132 staff nurses was chosen from El-Fayoum University hospitals. Tools for data collection: The Authentic Leadership Scale, Psychological contract breach scale, and The Organizational Cynicism Scale. Results: authentic leadership was significantly and positively correlated to psychological contract breach (r = 0.449, P = <.001). However, authentic leadership was significantly and negatively correlated to organizational cynicism (r = - 0.328, P =<0.001) and r = 0.431, P = 0.000, respectively). In addition, there was a significant and negative correlation between organizational cynicism and psychological contract breach (r = -.350***P = <0.01 ) . Conclusion: Authentic leadership is effective in improving nurses' psychological contract breaches and organizational cynicism. As well, authentic leadership fully mediated the relationship between psychological contract breach and organizational cynicism. Recommendation: Implement leadership-training programs to develop authentic leadership skills among nurse leaders. As well, manage psychological contracts breach by ensuring clarity, fairness, and consistent fulfillment.