Leiden University Student Repository

Angeletou, Anastasia (2024)

Navigating an uncertain workplace: A study on the consequences of job uncertainty and perceived social support on job satisfaction

Master thesis | Psychology (MSc)

Job uncertainty is a common experience among employees and often leads to reduced job satisfaction. Since job satisfaction benefits the employees and the organization, it is in the best interest of both to tackle the uncertainty. One mechanism to cope with high uncertainty is to turn to colleagues, friends, and family. This study hypothesizes that job uncertainty will be negatively correlated with job satisfaction and examines whether this relationship is mediated by perceived social support. The sample included 110 participants from the Netherlands, who completed an online questionnaire. The results confirmed a negative correlation between job uncertainty and job satisfaction. Moreover, perceived social support and job satisfaction were positively correlated. However, perceived social support was not found to be a significant mediator. The findings demonstrate the importance of reducing job uncertainty by employing mechanisms such as organizational routines, increasing available...Show moreJob uncertainty is a common experience among employees and often leads to reduced job satisfaction. Since job satisfaction benefits the employees and the organization, it is in the best interest of both to tackle the uncertainty. One mechanism to cope with high uncertainty is to turn to colleagues, friends, and family. This study hypothesizes that job uncertainty will be negatively correlated with job satisfaction and examines whether this relationship is mediated by perceived social support. The sample included 110 participants from the Netherlands, who completed an online questionnaire. The results confirmed a negative correlation between job uncertainty and job satisfaction. Moreover, perceived social support and job satisfaction were positively correlated. However, perceived social support was not found to be a significant mediator. The findings demonstrate the importance of reducing job uncertainty by employing mechanisms such as organizational routines, increasing available information, and allowing participation in decision-making.Show less

job uncertainty

job satisfaction

perceived social support

employee well-being

Author

Angeletou, Anastasia

Faculty

Faculty of Social & Behavioural Sciences

Specialisation

Economic and Consumer Psychology

Supervisors

Ambra Brizi

ECTS Credits

20

Language

en