Help me if you can: Psychological distance and help ‐seeking intentions in employee–supervisor relations

Abstract
Social support at work is considered useful in treating job‐related stress, and supervisors' emotional support has been found to be the most effective source of support at work. But an understanding of what elements make employees use supervisors as a source of emotional support is lacking. The present qualitative study included in‐depth interviews with 24 teachers and 12 principals and a focus group with 12 school counsellors. The findings pointed at 2 groups of determinants of subordinates' intentions of asking socioemotional help from supervisors. The structural–organizational factors included low formalization structure, supportive and open work climate, shared goals, and manager's professional expertise; the dyadic factors included quality of relationship and demographic similarity. The determinants reflected different dimensions of psychological distance forming a close construal level that played a central part in employees' viewing the supervisor as an accessible socioemotional resource. The role of construal fit is discussed.

Source: Stress and Health - February 1, 2018 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Izhak Berkovich, Ori Eyal Tags: RESEARCH ARTICLE Source Type: research