Social support at work: the relationship between enacted social support behaviours and psychological capital

Abstract

Organisations value employees who can positively assess their circumstances and chances of success, are motivated to put in the necessary effort to achieve such, and persevere should obstacles arise. This capacity is called psychological capital (PsyCap) and has been associated with several desirable outcomes for the organisation. This state-like resource — comprising hope, efficacy, resilience, and optimism — is malleable and open to development, making it particularly interesting to the workplace. An antecedent that has been shown to drive and develop PsyCap is social support – and, more specifically, perceptions of social support. However, not all social support is created equal. Therefore, this study aimed to determine how social support behaviours (enacted support) and PsyCap relate – and consider how perceived support fits into that dynamic. The literature suggests that different mechanisms are at play that could influence how enacted support relates to PsyCap. Through a Conservation of Resources theory lens, the study investigated the enacted support constellations under which a resourcebuilding or resource-depleting mechanism is observed. A between-person interval-based experience sampling methodology was used to gather data from 253 participants across South Africa over two weeks to investigate this relationship. Covariance-based structural equation modelling tested how the constructs relate, and three key findings were observed. Firstly, the type of enacted support (informational and instrumental, in particular) and its provider (whether supervisor or co-worker) influence PsyCap differently and whether the support recipient performs a management or non-management role. Thus, evidence for both resource-building and resource-depleting mechanisms was observed under different conditions and constellations. Secondly, a cyclical relationship between enacted support and PsyCap was noted, where the level of PsyCap influences how the enacted support is valued or interpreted – suggesting a measure of ‘support readiness’, or receptivity to receive enacted support. Finally, mediation analysis investigated how perceived support, enacted support, and PsyCap relate, and evidence suggests that PsyCap partially mediates that relationship. Implications for academics and practitioners are discussed, as well as suggestions for future research.