Social support as a moderator of the relationship between work stressors and psychological dysfunctioning: a longitudinal study with objective measures.

Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

Authors

The match hypothesis proposed by S. Cohen and T. A. Wills (1985) is extended, and the buffer effect of social support is tested within a longitudinal study with objective measures (N = 90 male blue-collar workers in the German metal industry). Stressors at work were ascertained by observers and a variant of a peer rating. Psychological, physical, and social stressors at work and leisure time stressors were ascertained. The dependent variables of dysfunctioning were psychosomatic complaints, depression, irritation/strain, and (social) anxiety. There were moderator effects of social support on the relationship between stressors and psychological dysfunctioning. Results are in line with the match hypothesis as social stressors and socially oriented aspects of psychological dysfunctioning were affected most strongly.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Occupational Health Psychology
Volume4
Issue number3
Pages (from-to)179-192
Number of pages14
ISSN1076-8998
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 07.1999
Externally publishedYes

    Research areas

  • Business psychology
  • Adaptation, Psychological, Adult, Affect, Anxiety/etiology, Depression/etiology, Germany, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Observer Variation, Psychological Tests, Psychology, Industrial/methods, Psychophysiologic Disorders/etiology, Social Support, Stress, Psychological/complications, Workplace/psychology