Associations between transformational leadership, occupational stress and emotional exhaustion in UK veterinary professionals: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract Background Occupational stress and burnout are prevalent concerns within the UK veterinary profession. Within the job demands–resources (JD‐R) framework, occupational stress represents a job demand linked to emotional exhaustion (EE), while transformational leadership (TL) may function as an organisational resource. However, the role of managerial TL behaviours in relation to occupational stress and EE in veterinary professionals remains underexplored. Methods This exploratory cross‐sectional online survey included registered UK veterinary surgeons and nurses. Participants completed validated measures of TL, perceived occupational stress (POS) and work‐related EE. Data were analysed using correlation, regression and structural equation modelling (SEM). Results POS was strongly positively correlated with EE ( r = 0.70, p < 0.001), while TL was moderately negatively correlated with EE ( r = −0.34, p < 0.001). Regression showed a non‐significant direct effect of TL on EE ( p = 0.068), while SEM confirmed a significant indirect effect via POS ( β = −0.33, p < 0.001). Limitations The cross‐sectional design and unmeasured potential confounding variables limit causal inference and generalisability. Conclusion TL may represent an organisational resource associated with lower EE, potentially via an indirect association with POS.