Development and Validation of a Multidimensional Measure of Family Supportive Supervisor Behaviors (FSSB)

Abstract

Due to growing work-family demands, supervisors need to effectively exhibit family supportive supervisor behaviors (FSSB). Drawing on social support theory and using data from two samples of lower wage workers, the authors develop and validate a measure of FSSB, defined as behaviors exhibited by supervisors that are supportive of families. FSSB is conceptualized as a multidimensional superordinate construct with four subordinate dimensions: emotional support, instrumental support, role modeling behaviors, and creative work-family management. Results from multilevel confirmatory factor analyses and multilevel regression analyses provide evidence of construct, criterion-related, and incremental validity. The authors found FSSB to be significantly related to work-family conflict, work-family positive spillover, job satisfaction, and turnover intentions over and above measures of general supervisor support.

Recommendations for individual participant data meta-analyses on work stressors and health outcomes: comments on IPD-Work Consortium papers

“…However, a growing body of knowledge demonstrates their ability to increase job characteristics associated with worker health, such as job control, workplace social support and moderate job demands. Such interventions encompass a wide variety of forms, including sociotechnical systems design (88,89), work-family programs (90)(91)(92)(93)(94)(95)(96), participatory ergonomics (97)(98)(99), "magnet" hospitals (100, 101), collective bargaining (102)(103)(104)(105), worker cooperatives (106,107), and integrated occupational health/health promotion programs (96) (see Appendix). Legislation and regulation are also commonly used interventions to improve the psychosocial work environment (see Appendix).…”

The Influence of Supervisor Support on Nurses’ Turnover Intention

“…Family-related support was defined as a set of behaviors, showed by supervisors that are supportive of employees' family needs [16]. …”

“…Examples of PSS behaviors included: recognition, encouragement, and positive feedback [15]. Two studies examined the family-related supervisor support, including behaviors such as listening and showing care for employees' work-family demands, and responding to an employee's family needs in the form of day-to-day management [16]. Two studies examined both PSS and family-related support.…”

“…Family-related support was defined as a set of behaviors, showed by supervisors that are supportive of employees' family needs [16]. This type of support was described as a multidimensional concept consisting of four types of behaviors: emotional support, instrumental support, role model behaviors, and proactive creative work-family management [16].…”

“…In regard to the measurement of PSS, eight studies used the Survey of Perceived Organizational Support, (SPOS). The SPOS was used after replacing the word organization with the supervisor with no changes to the instrument items or scoring.Family-related support was defined as a set of behaviors, showed by supervisors that are supportive of employees' family needs [16]. …”