The moderating effects of work-based and non-work based support on the relation between job insecurity and subsequent strain

Abstract

Job insecurity is a stressor empirically linked to various negative outcomes, such as impaired work attitudes and adverse health symptoms. Less is known about how these negative consequences can be buffered. The present study investigates whether work-based and non-work based social support moderate the relation between job insecurity and subsequent strain. The results, based on Swedish longitudinal questionnaire data, show that job insecurity predicted strain, even after controlling for demographic variables and baseline levels. Non-work based support moderated the negative effect of job insecurity on mental health complaints and somatic complaints after controlling for baseline levels. The results suggest that employees can benefit from their support network during times of turbulence. Opsomming Werksonsekerheid is ’n stressor wat emperies verband hou met verskeie negatiewe uitkomste soos verlaagde werksgesindhede en nadelige gesondheidssimptome. Minder is bekend oor hoe hierdie negatiewe gevolge gebuffer kan word. Die huidige studie ondersoek of werks gebaseerde en nie-werks gebaseerde sosiale ondersteuning die verhouding tussen werksonsekerheid en daaropvolgende spanning modereer. Die resultate, gebaseer op Sweedse longitudinale vraelysdata, toon dat werksonsekerheid spanning voorpsel het, selfs na die kontrolering vir demografiese veranderlikes en basislyn veranderlikes. Nie-werks gebaseerde ondersteuning het die negatiewe effek van werksonsekerheid op psigiese ongesteldhede en somatiese simptome gemodereer nadat gekontroleer vir basislyn veranderlikes is. Die resultate stel voor dat werknemers voordeel kan trek uit hulle ondersteunings netwerk gedurende tye van turbulensie.

Keywords

• Job insecurity
• Subsequent strain