Research Institute of Hawzah and University; "Hawzah wa Dāneshgāh Research Institute" Journal of Studies in Religion, Spirituality & Management 2981-1171 12 24 2025 06 22 The Impact of Self-Transcendence on the Well-Being of Isfahan Cemetery Employees: The Mediating Role of Workplace Spirituality and the Moderating Role of Spiritual Leadership The Impact of Self-Transcendence on the Well-Being of Isfahan Cemetery Employees: The Mediating Role of Workplace Spirituality and the Moderating Role of Spiritual Leadership 151 175 2346 10.30471/rsm.2025.10890.1456 FA Farshid Aslani Department of Public Management, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran 0000-0003-1883-5041 Marzieh Mohammadi M.A. in Public Management, Payame Noor University, Shahin Shahr, Iran 0009-0000-9733-9032 Journal Article 2025 04 14 <strong>Extended Abstract </strong><br /><strong> </strong><br /><strong>Introduction and Objectives:</strong>This study investigates the impact of self-transcendence on the well-being of Isfahan cemetery employees, considering the mediating role of workplace spirituality and the moderating role of spiritual leadership. Given the unique occupational conditions of cemetery employees, who face significant psychological and emotional pressures, the spiritual dimension and leadership are particularly critical in such work environments. The primary aim of this research is to analyze the complex relationships among these variables and examine whether workplace spirituality and spiritual leadership can influence the relationship between self-transcendence and employee well-being. The study seeks to evaluate the positive or negative effects of these dimensions on enhancing the welfare and well-being of cemetery staff.<br /><strong>Method: </strong>This research is applied in purpose and descriptive-correlational in methodology. The statistical population included all 169 employees of Isfahan Cemetery, from which 113 participants were selected using Morgan’s table (1970). Data were collected via four questionnaires: an 18-item Self-Transcendence Questionnaire (Lawson et al., 2005; Cronbach’s α = 0.75), an 18-item Employee Well-Being Questionnaire (Zhang et al., 2015; Cronbach’s α = 0.96), a 20-item Workplace Spirituality Questionnaire (Milliman et al., 2003; Cronbach’s α = 0.94), and a 25-item Spiritual Leadership Questionnaire (Fry & Matherly, 2006; Cronbach’s α = 0.94). Data were analyzed using SPSS 26 and SMART PLS 3, including descriptive statistics for demographic analysis and inferential statistics for hypothesis testing.<br /><strong>Results: </strong>The findings indicate that the mediating role of workplace spirituality in the relationship between self-transcendence and employee well-being is not significant (β = 0.174, t = 0.442, p > 0.05). Thus, workplace spirituality does not mediate the effect of self-transcendence on well-being. Conversely, spiritual leadership significantly moderates this relationship (β = -0.453, t = 2.180, p < 0.05), with a negative path coefficient, suggesting that spiritual leadership can weaken the impact of self-transcendence on employee well-being under certain conditions. Direct effects analysis shows that self-transcendence does not have a significant direct effect on employee well-being (t = 1.381, p = 0.168). However, self-transcendence has a significant positive effect on workplace spirituality (t = 19.882, p < 0.05), while workplace spirituality does not significantly influence employee well-being (t = 0.447, p = 0.665).<br /><strong>Discussion and Conclusion: </strong>The results suggest that self-transcendence does not significantly affect employee well-being directly or indirectly through workplace spirituality. This finding can be explained by the high-stress and emotionally demanding context of cemetery work, where environmental and supportive factors may have a stronger impact than personal traits such as self-transcendence. Employees in such settings may rely more on emotional and psychological support from colleagues and the organization. While workplace spirituality can enhance meaning and purpose, its impact may be limited under high-stress conditions. Importantly, spiritual leadership as a moderating factor can enhance or diminish the effect of self-transcendence on well-being. By fostering a value-driven, empathetic, and meaningful work environment, spiritual leadership can support employees in finding deeper purpose and improving their well-being. However, excessive or pressured leadership expectations may weaken this effect. Overall, the study highlights that in challenging work environments like cemeteries, well-being depends more on environmental, supportive, and leadership factors than on individual traits alone. Comprehensive support programs integrated with appropriate spiritual leadership are essential for promoting both psychological well-being and personal growth. <strong>Extended Abstract </strong><br /><strong> </strong><br /><strong>Introduction and Objectives:</strong>This study investigates the impact of self-transcendence on the well-being of Isfahan cemetery employees, considering the mediating role of workplace spirituality and the moderating role of spiritual leadership. Given the unique occupational conditions of cemetery employees, who face significant psychological and emotional pressures, the spiritual dimension and leadership are particularly critical in such work environments. The primary aim of this research is to analyze the complex relationships among these variables and examine whether workplace spirituality and spiritual leadership can influence the relationship between self-transcendence and employee well-being. The study seeks to evaluate the positive or negative effects of these dimensions on enhancing the welfare and well-being of cemetery staff.<br /><strong>Method: </strong>This research is applied in purpose and descriptive-correlational in methodology. The statistical population included all 169 employees of Isfahan Cemetery, from which 113 participants were selected using Morgan’s table (1970). Data were collected via four questionnaires: an 18-item Self-Transcendence Questionnaire (Lawson et al., 2005; Cronbach’s α = 0.75), an 18-item Employee Well-Being Questionnaire (Zhang et al., 2015; Cronbach’s α = 0.96), a 20-item Workplace Spirituality Questionnaire (Milliman et al., 2003; Cronbach’s α = 0.94), and a 25-item Spiritual Leadership Questionnaire (Fry & Matherly, 2006; Cronbach’s α = 0.94). Data were analyzed using SPSS 26 and SMART PLS 3, including descriptive statistics for demographic analysis and inferential statistics for hypothesis testing.<br /><strong>Results: </strong>The findings indicate that the mediating role of workplace spirituality in the relationship between self-transcendence and employee well-being is not significant (β = 0.174, t = 0.442, p > 0.05). Thus, workplace spirituality does not mediate the effect of self-transcendence on well-being. Conversely, spiritual leadership significantly moderates this relationship (β = -0.453, t = 2.180, p < 0.05), with a negative path coefficient, suggesting that spiritual leadership can weaken the impact of self-transcendence on employee well-being under certain conditions. Direct effects analysis shows that self-transcendence does not have a significant direct effect on employee well-being (t = 1.381, p = 0.168). However, self-transcendence has a significant positive effect on workplace spirituality (t = 19.882, p < 0.05), while workplace spirituality does not significantly influence employee well-being (t = 0.447, p = 0.665).<br /><strong>Discussion and Conclusion: </strong>The results suggest that self-transcendence does not significantly affect employee well-being directly or indirectly through workplace spirituality. This finding can be explained by the high-stress and emotionally demanding context of cemetery work, where environmental and supportive factors may have a stronger impact than personal traits such as self-transcendence. Employees in such settings may rely more on emotional and psychological support from colleagues and the organization. While workplace spirituality can enhance meaning and purpose, its impact may be limited under high-stress conditions. Importantly, spiritual leadership as a moderating factor can enhance or diminish the effect of self-transcendence on well-being. By fostering a value-driven, empathetic, and meaningful work environment, spiritual leadership can support employees in finding deeper purpose and improving their well-being. However, excessive or pressured leadership expectations may weaken this effect. Overall, the study highlights that in challenging work environments like cemeteries, well-being depends more on environmental, supportive, and leadership factors than on individual traits alone. Comprehensive support programs integrated with appropriate spiritual leadership are essential for promoting both psychological well-being and personal growth. https://rsm.rihu.ac.ir/article_2346_6c3ee526d48c5f0821e3b86607238df8.pdf