title: The importance of provision and utilization of supervisor support.
abstract: Three cross-sectional studies examined the benefits of provision of supervisor support while controlling for subordinate utilization of supervisor support. Data were collected from workers in a subordinate role (Study 1 N = 355; Study 2 N = 229; Study 3 N = 109). Consistent with expectations, provision of supervisor support consistently explained unique variance in affective job criteria while controlling for utilization of supervisor support. The results indicate that supervisors should acknowledge that their workers experience the affective benefits of supervisor support even if the workers do not consistently use the support provided. Contrary to expectations, provision of supervisor support did not consistently explain unique variance in perceived job stressors while controlling for utilization of supervisor support. However, workers must utilize the supervisor support provided in order to perceive fewer job stressors. We recommend supervisors to take caution when relocating their support to different subordinates based solely on a lack of utilization of support, as this may cause higher perceived job stressors for their subordinates based on the lack of provision of that support.
authors.affiliation: Johnson & Johnson, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA.
authors.forename: Alec
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Munc
authors.affiliation: San Francisco State University, San Francisco, California, USA.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Eschleman
authors.affiliation: Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Donnelly
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D000073397:Occupational Stress / Q000523:psychology*; D015279:Organizational Culture; D010559:Personnel Management; D012944:Social Support
keywords: job affect; job stressors; provision; supervisor support