Secure Base Leadership, Role Stress and Intention to Change Assignment in a Sample of Spanish Military Personnel / Liderazgo de base segura, estrés de rol e intención de cambio de destino en una muestra de militares españoles

Secure Base Leadership (SBL) is a novel theoretical perspective grounded in Bowlby’s attachment theory that emphasises leaders’ impact on their subordinates’ well-being and performance. Given its potential relevance in military settings, this study analyses the relationship between the perceived leadership style of superiors and role stress (ambiguity and conflict) and turnover intention (change of assignment) among 136 Spanish military personnel (53.7% men; M = 41.9 years). The study considered affective organisational commitment as a mediator. Using Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM), the results revealed the crucial role of affective commitment, which fully mediates the relationship between SBL and role ambiguity and turnover intention, and partially mediates the relationship between SBL and role conflict. Turnover intention was also positively related to role conflict. This study shows that SBL, operating through organisational commitment, is an effective model that helps to prevent role stress and turnover intention among military personnel.