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Creative leadership and kindergarten teachers' creative teaching performance: A moderated mediation model

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Drawing on social exchange theory, this study examines the associations between kindergarten principals' creative leadership and teachers' creative teaching performance. Data from 578 kindergarten teachers across eight Chinese cities were analyzed using a multistage stratified sampling method. The results indicate that (1) creative leadership is positively associated with creative teaching performance; (2) this relationship is significantly mediated by both the ideological psychological contract and knowledge-sharing intention; and (3) perceived organizational support moderates these indirect pathways. Specifically, the indirect effects of creative leadership on teaching performance via both mediators are significantly stronger under conditions of high perceived organizational support. These findings elucidate the relational and behavioral mechanisms through which targeted leadership fosters pedagogical innovation, highlighting the necessity of an aligned organizational climate in early childhood education.

Source: Acta Psychologica

DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2026.107157

Authors: Maoyong Huang, Ting He, Yakun Ni, Yanzhen Xu, Tengfei Guo

Institutions: Guangdong Polytechnic Normal University, Guangdong University of Finance

Language: English

Topic: School Leadership and Teacher Performance

Subfield: Education

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Quality education

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,670