The Impact of Principals’ Leadership Styles on Organizational Depression: Perspectives from Preschool Teachers*

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between the leadership styles exhibited by school principals and the levels of organizational depression among preschool teachers. A correlational survey model, a quantitative research method, was used in the study. The study group consisted of 561 preschool teachers working under the Ministry of National Education in Istanbul during the 2021–2022 academic year. Data were collected using the “Organizational Depression Scale” and the “Leadership Style Behavior Scale”. Descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, and correlation analysis were used in the analysis of the data. The results showed that teachers believed school principals exhibited the most democratic and transformational leadership styles and that their levels of organizational depression were generally low. Furthermore, it was found that the organizational depression scores of teachers were significantly lower when the school principal’s field was preschool education. Significant relationships were found between leadership styles and organizational depression. The findings highlight the importance of managerial processes and leadership behaviors in preschool institutions on the psychological health of teachers and the organizational climate.

Cite this article as: Akın, F., & Görgü, E. (2026). The impact of principals’ leadership styles on organizational depression: perspectives from preschool teachers. HAYEF: Journal of Education, 23, 0133, doi: 10.5152/hayef.2026.25133.