Citation:

Kasim Ziryawulawo Matovu, Aina-Obe Shamsuddin Bolatito, Yusuf Ali Zoaka, Abdul Kaziba Mpaata. "The Impact of Self-Leadership on Work Behaviours Among Police Officers: The Mediating Role of Emotional Intelligence" International Research Journal of Economics and Management Studies, Vol. 5, No. 4, pp. 1-7, 2026. Crossref. http://doi.org/10.56472/25835238/IRJEMS-V5I4P101

Abstract:

Police officers' work behaviours (WB) must have two key characteristics, namely self-leadership (SL) and emotional intelligence (EI), in order to deal with the various challenges that arise throughout their job operations. This study investigated how police officers' job habits and self-leadership (SL) are mediated by emotional intelligence (EI). WB served as the DV, SL as the IV, and EI as the MV in the current investigation. A self-administered, pre-tested questionnaire was used to gather data from a randomly chosen sample of 256 Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) officers who met the inclusion criteria of having enough knowledge of both research variables. Correlation and mediation analysis (PROCESS v4.2 by Hayes) came after data analysis at a 5% significance level. A mediation analysis indicated a statistically significant direct effect of SL on work behaviours (β = .5951, t = 6.898, CI [.4252;.7649], p < .001), along with a significant indirect effect via EI (β =.1689, CI [.0617;.2764]), suggesting partial mediation. These results indicate that, although SL directly affects positive work behaviours, it also boosts them indirectly by promoting greater EI. This underscores the simultaneous significance of fostering self-leadership techniques and enhancing emotional intelligence in law enforcement situations, since they both aid in better behavioural outcomes and, ultimately, the health and efficiency of police personnel.

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Keywords:

Self Leadership, Emotional Intelligence, Work Behaviours, Self-reflection, Uganda Police Force.