Rofcanin, Y.; Wang, S.; Las Heras, M.; Erdogan, D.; Bosch, M.J.; Afacan, M. & Salas, A. (2023) Perceptions Of Support Trickle Down: Effects On Energetic Resources Via Psychological Empowerment

Abstract

Supervisor perceptions of the support they receive from their own managers are key, as they can influence their subordinates' perceptions of support and well-being. Using a weekly diary data set of subordinates and their supervisors in a hospital in Chile, we tested a trickle-down effect of perceived supervisor support across three hierarchical levels: upper managers, supervisors, and low-level employees. Drawing on conservation of resources theory (COR) and social exchange theory, we find that our
model is largely supported. In particular, we found that supervisors' perceived support from managers (PMS) relates to subordinates' perceptions of support from their supervisors (PSS). In turn, subordinates' PSS is positively associated with their
emotional resources and sleep quality. Beyond these bivariate relationships, subordinates' psychological empowerment mediates positive relationships between subordinates' (PSS) and their emotional resources and sleep quality. These findings suggest that supervisors who feel support from their own managers reciprocate with more supportive treatment of subordinates, enhancing psychological empowerment, which in turn drives further accumulation of emotional and physical resources (i.e., sleep quality).