Effects of co-worker and family support on job satisfaction, family satisfaction and strain: A longitudinal investigation

Abstract

The study investigated the direct and indirect effects of co-worker support and family support on job satisfaction, family satisfaction, and strain within a longitudinal study design. Using two waves of data (T1=637, T2=390) collected from 23 New Zealand organisations we tested a structural model that predicted (1) direct effects of co-worker support on job satisfaction and strain; (2) direct effects of family support on family satisfaction and strain; and (3) indirect effects of co-worker support and family support on strain mediated through job satisfaction and family satisfaction. Our results show significant direct effects of co-worker support on job satisfaction, and job satisfaction on strain; and significant direct effects of family support on family satisfaction and family satisfaction on strain. However, predicted indirect effects of co-worker support and family support on strain mediated through job and family satisfaction were found to be weak. We compare our findings with those in the literature. Some of the limitations of the study are also discussed.