Understanding the mediating role of pharmaceutical policymaking attitudes between personal attributes and public service motivation

The mediating role of perceptions of pharmaceutical policymaking on the relationship between personal attributes and public service motivation (PSM) remains unexplored, particularly among early-career pharmacists in developing countries such as Lebanon. This study aimed to explore the relationship between personal and professional attributes, specifically leadership, strategic thinking, and self-efficacy, and PSM. It also assessed whether perceptions of pharmaceutical policymaking mediate these relationships and whether these pathways vary across different pharmacist personal attribute profiles. This cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2023 to May 2024 and included early-career pharmacists. This study used validated scales to assess personal and professional attributes. Among 504 pharmacists, 32% were early career pharmacists, 30% were senior students, and the rest were fourth-year or earlier pharmacy students. Participants were grouped into three profiles based on personal attributes: strong, moderate, and weak. Authentic leadership was positively correlated with generalized self-efficacy ( r = 0.465, p < 0.001), research self-efficacy ( r = 0.273, p < 0.001), strategic thinking ( r = 0.489, p < 0.001), and public service motivation ( r = 0.569, p < 0.001). Regression analysis showed that leadership (β = 0.006, p < 0.001), generalized self-efficacy (β = 0.007, p < 0.001), research self-efficacy (β = 0.001, p = 0.004), and strategic thinking (β = 0.007, p < 0.001) positively predicted PSM. Mediation analysis indicated significant direct effects of these traits on PSM in the total sample (all p < 0.05). When the cluster group was considered as the independent variable, Pharmaceutical Policymaking Perception Scale partially mediated the relationship with PSM, with significant direct (β = −5.071, p = 0.009) and indirect effects (β = −1.209, p = 0.006). This research found that leadership, strategic thinking, and generalized and research self-efficacy were positively associated with public service motivation, while pharmaceutical policymaking was inversely related to it. Perception of pharmaceutical policymaking partially mediated the effect of weaker cluster membership on public service motivation. In view of the paucity of research in this area, conducting similar studies in diverse settings would help confirm the current results and further consolidate the causal relationships between these concepts. Meanwhile, education and research should prioritize early-career pharmacists' personal attributes to empower them in optimizing their profession and enhancing patient care.