Social support and job satisfaction in nursing staff: Understanding the link through role ambiguity

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to analyse the mediator effect of role ambiguity between social support from supervisor and colleagues and job satisfaction in Portuguese nursing staff.

Background: Few studies have analysed the processes through which social support increases job satisfaction in the nursing context.

Design: A cross-sectional design using questionnaires.

Method: A total of 124 registered nurses and 130 certified nursing assistants participated in the study. Mediation analysis was performed by calculating percentile confidence intervals (10,000 resamples).

Results: Mediation analysis revealed a partial mediation between social support and job satisfaction through role ambiguity. The direct effect was greater in the case of supervisor support.

Conclusions: Social support is a crucial resource in the nursing work context with a beneficial effect on well-being (e.g. reducing role stress) and job satisfaction.

Implications for nursing management: Managers of hospitals and health units can establish the organizational bases to facilitate this process, considering the importance of the role of the supervisors and colleagues in the provision of high levels of instrumental and socio-emotional support.

Keywords: job satisfaction; nursing staff; occupational stress; role; social support.

FIGURE 1

Relationships between social support, role ambiguity and job satisfaction

FIGURE 2

Mediation analysis (N = 254). Note: Standardized coefficients. All coefficients are significant (p < .01). Social support from supervisor: coefficients on the top. Social support from co‐workers: coefficients on the bottom. Professional category was covaried but not presented in the final model for simplicity