Coping with xenophobia in healthcare institutions: is inclusive leadership enough?

Abstract

With migration movements, inclusiveness and diversity issues have been intensively addressed in healthcare institutions, as in many institutions. This study explored the mediating role of diversity climate, quantity of social contact and quality of social contact in the relationship between inclusive leadership and xenophobia for healthcare professionals and employees. Data was collected from 423 healthcare professionals and employees in Türkiye, one of the countries hosting the highest number of migrants in the world. According to the study results, inclusive leadership positively predicted diversity climate. While inclusive leadership did not have a direct effect on xenophobia, diversity climate and social contact quality had an indirect effect through sequential mediation. The study also suggested that effective management of diversity in the health sector depends on the development of diversity climate and social contact quality together with inclusive leadership practices. The study results support the spillover theory and social contact theory.