Leadership and social identification in military units: Direct and indirect relationships

This study examines some antecedents and consequences of social identificat ion in military units. Data were collected from 2 samples in each unit: sta ff members and soldiers. Ii was found that identification with the unit was related to 3 categories offender behavior. an emphasis on collective ident ity, an emphasis on shared values. and inclusive behaviors. Some of the eff ects of leader behaviors on members social identfication were mediated bq t heir effects on unit culture. Some of the effects of leader behavior; on th e social identitication of more distant subordinates (soldiers) were mediat ed hv their effects on the social identification of closer subordinates (st aff. members). Differential effects of leader behaviors on the 2 levels of subordinates were also discovered.