Subjective Underemployment and Psychosocial Stress: The Role of Perceived Social and Supervisor Support

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of subjective underemployment on psychosocial stress. The moderator effects of perceived social and supervisor support were also investigated. Data were collected during the summer of 1987 in a public utility governmental agency in the United States. The sample size was 212 with a 71% response rate. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between subjective underemployment and psychosocial stress. As expected, the results revealed a significant positive relationship between subjective underemployment and five indexes of psychosocial stress. The interactions between subjective underemployment and social and supervisor support were not significant; however, the relationships were in the expected directions. Supervisor support was positive and significantly related to psychosocial stress, but social support was not.

The antecedents and consequences of underemployment among expatriates

“…Existing research clearly indicates that underemployment adversely aects the general mental health of employees (Feldman, 1996;Jones-Johnson and Johnson, 1991;Warr, 1987). In fact, some research suggests that being underemployed is often as distressing as unemployment itself (Leana and Feldman, 1995).…”

“…Underemployment was measured using a 13-item scale based on measures used in previous research on skill utilization (Caplan et al, 1975;O'Brien, 1982) and underemployment (Feldman, 1996;Jones-Johnson and Johnson, 1991;Khan and Morrow, 1991). The measure taps the extent to which expatriates' assignments are challenging, provide learning opportunities, and fully EXPATRIATE UNDEREMPLOYMENT 897 utilize their education, experience, training, skills, and abilities.…”

Employee Involvement Management Practices, Work Stress, and Depression in Employees of a Human Services Residential Care Facility

“…Baker et al, 1996;Barnett & Brennan, 1995;Bourbonnais et al, 1996;Dyer & Quine, 1998;Glass & McKnight, 1996;Narayanan et al, 1999;Spector, 1986), lack of supervisor support (e.g. Baker et al, 1996;Jones-Johnson & Johnson, 1992), and subjective underemployment or lack of skill utilization (Clegg & Wall, 1990;Jones-Johnson & Johnson, 1992;Kawakami et al, 1990).…”

Perceived Overqualification and Health: A Longitudinal Analysis

“…The response options ranged from 1 (not at all) to 5 (a great deal). The items were summed (M = 24.80, SD = 8.21) and the reliability of the scale (Cronbach's a = .88) compared favorably with the results of previous studies (Johnson & Johnson, 1992, 1996.…”