Principals Under Fire: Occupational Efficacy as a Mediator in the Connection Between Psychological Capital and Social Support to Principals’ Stress and Wellbeing During Wartime

School principals’ complex position intensifies during crises. This study explores resources available to principals for reducing stress and increasing wellbeing during wartime, examining occupational efficacy (OE) as a mediator. Ninety-five Israeli principals responded to an online questionnaire. Findings revealed that OE fully mediated the connection between psychological capital and social support to principals’ stress, and between social support to wellbeing. OE partially mediated the connection between psychological capital and wellbeing. These findings highlight the importance of OE in principals’ adjustment to stressful circumstances and suggest that developing professional resources should become a top priority in principals’ professional development programs.