Perceived organizational support moderates the effect of job demands on outcomes: Testing the JD-R model in Italian oncology nurses

Abstract

Objectives: The research aimed to test the job demands-resources (JD-R) model on a sample of Italian oncology workers, and the role of perceived organizational support (POS) as a moderator of the effects of JD on outcomes (job satisfaction and burnout [BO]).

Methods: Based on the JD-R model, a correlational study was designed to investigate the relationships between JD, POS as a job resource, self-esteem (as a personal resource), and job outcomes (BO and job satisfaction); the research involved a sample of oncology nurses (N = 235) from an Italian public hospital, who completed a questionnaire during working hours. Relationships between variables were investigated with multiple regressions and moderation analysis.

Results: Results confirmed that JD predict both BO and job satisfaction; POS is a weak predictor of job outcomes, but its mediator role in the JD-outcomes relationship was confirmed: the more the nurses perceive a supportive organization, the weaker the positive relationship between JD and BO.

Significance of results: Findings are consistent with other contributions that highlighted that organizational job resources may attenuate the adverse effect of JD on positive and negative outcomes: POS may play a central role in employee well-being and health, acting as a possible moderator, and somehow defusing the positive association between JD and outcomes.

Keywords: Job demand; burnout; nurse; oncology; perceived organizational support.