The public sector constitutes a complex system of psycho-affective management, where leadership and autonomy are crucial for institutional efficacy. The objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between leadership, autonomy (control over work), and other psychosocial risk factors across six departments of a government agency in Mexico, under the framework of NOM-035-STPS-2018. A quantitative, cross-sectional, and correlational design was utilized with 235 public servants, employing Reference Guide III of the official standard to identify psychosocial risk categories. The results, analyzed through Welch and Games–Howell tests, reveal significant differences based on the operational nature of each unit. Public Safety and Civil Protection present critical risks due to high demand and low control. The Municipal DIF (System for the Integral Development of the Family) stands out as a protective environment thanks to its positive leadership. A statistically significant association was identified between lower leadership quality and a decrease in work autonomy (rho = 0.701), along with a consistently low perception of performance recognition across all evaluated departments (p = 0.056). It is concluded that management style influences the perception of psychosocial risk, suggesting the need for interventions centered on humanistic leadership to mitigate occupational stress.
Rueda et al. (Tue,) studied this question.