Liderazgo directivo y satisfacción de las necesidades prioritarias de los adultos mayores

Abstract

This research aimed to determine the relationship between managerial leadership and the satisfaction of the priority needs of older adults in a foundation. The results revealed that the satisfaction of the needs of older adults is positively correlated with authoritarian and democratic leadership styles, with authoritarian leadership showing the most significant correlation (r = 0.378, p = 0.001). This finding suggests that a structured leadership style, which offers clarity and stability in management, contributes significantly to the well-being of older adults. On the other hand, democratic leadership also showed a positive relationship, although more moderate (r = 0.246, p = 0.037), indicating that participatory approaches can favor satisfaction, especially when older adults are included in decision-making. Liberal leadership, on the other hand, did not present a significant correlation, suggesting that excessive flexibility and autonomy in management are not ideal for this group, since older adults require clearer and more structured direction. This study highlights the importance of leadership styles in caring for older adults, highlighting that more authoritarian and democratic models can improve the management of their needs. Furthermore, the results are complemented by previous research that highlights deficiencies in the implementation of public policies and the lack of accessibility in health services for older adults, which highlights the need for efficient directive leadership. It is recommended to strengthen leadership training to improve the care and satisfaction of this vulnerable group. Likewise, collaboration between different institutions must be encouraged to design more effective public policies in the care of older adults.