title: Enhanced Co-Worker Social Support in Isolated Work Groups and Its Mitigating Role on the Work-Family Conflict-Depression Loss Spiral.
abstract: This paper examines a loss spiral model (i.e., reciprocal relationships) between work-family conflict and depression, moderated by co-worker support. We expected that the moderation effect due to co-worker support would be evident among those working in isolation (i.e., mining workers) due to a greater level of intragroup attraction and saliency attributable to the proximity effects. We used a two wave panel study and data from a random population sample of Australian employees (n = 2793, [n = 112 mining, n = 2681 non-mining]). Using structural equation modelling we tested the reciprocal three way interaction effects. In line with our theory, co-worker support buffered the reciprocal relationship between WFC and depression, showing a protective effect in both pathways. These moderation effects were found in the mining industry only suggesting a proximity component moderates the social support buffer hypothesis (i.e., a three way interaction effect). The present paper integrates previous theoretical perspectives of stress and support, and provides insight into the changing dynamics of workplace relationships.
authors.affiliation: Asia Pacific Centre for Work Health and Safety, University of South Australia, Magill 5072, Australia. wes.mcternan@unisa.edu.au.
authors.forename: Wesley P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: McTernan
authors.affiliation: Asia Pacific Centre for Work Health and Safety, University of South Australia, Magill 5072, Australia. maureen.dollard@unisa.edu.au.
authors.forename: Maureen F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Dollard
authors.affiliation: Asia Pacific Centre for Work Health and Safety, University of South Australia, Magill 5072, Australia. michelle.tuckey@unisa.edu.au.
authors.forename: Michelle R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Tuckey
authors.affiliation: Department of Management, Terry College of Business, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA. rvandenb@uga.edu.
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Vandenberg
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia; D003863:Depression; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D014937:Work; D017132:Workplace; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: depression; mining; social support; work-family conflict