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...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
This research explores the interplay between social media usage, offline and online interactions, perceived social support, and depression levels among university students. Analyzing data from 430...Show moreThis research explores the interplay between social media usage, offline and online interactions, perceived social support, and depression levels among university students. Analyzing data from 430 participants, this cross-sectional study leverages the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) to assess depression symptoms and employs both multivariate and univariate linear regression analyses, as well as MANOVA and ANOVA tests, to understand the connections between online/offline social interactions, perceived social support, and depression. Key findings indicate a significant relationship between the level of perceived social support (β = -0.49, p < .001) and frequency of online interactions (β = 0.43, p < .05) with depression levels. Notably, individuals reporting higher levels of perceived social support tend to exhibit lower depression levels, while those with frequent online interactions often show higher depression levels. The study also identifies marked gender differences in social media use and depression, with females showing greater susceptibility. These results underscore a nuanced relationship between active/passive social media engagement, gender, and mental health. The research emphasizes the need for mental health strategies that consider individual differences, particularly focusing on the quality of social support and patterns of online engagement, to effectively address mental health concerns in young adults.Show less
While the Big Five personality traits of neuroticism and conscientiousness have consistently been established as risk and protective factors for internet addiction (IA), respectively, personality...Show moreWhile the Big Five personality traits of neuroticism and conscientiousness have consistently been established as risk and protective factors for internet addiction (IA), respectively, personality is rather resistant to change. As perceived social support (PSS) is more malleable, it may be an accessible intervention point for IA in adolescents with at-risk personality traits. This study investigated whether neuroticism and conscientiousness were associated with IA in Dutch adolescents specifically, and, if so, whether PSS was a mediator in these associations. We aimed to contribute to the scarce literature in the Dutch adolescent population with a new sample, identify risk and protective factors of IA, and detect possible points of intervention. To our knowledge, this was the first study to explore the mediating role of PSS in these associations. The data of 109 Dutch adolescents aged 13 to 25 years were analyzed in this cross-sectional study using mediation analyses. Conscientiousness, neuroticism, PSS, and IA were measured via self-report. Results indicate a positive association of neuroticism and IA, and a negative association of conscientiousness and IA. However, PSS was not found to be a mediator between any of the personality traits and IA. These findings suggest that high neuroticism and low conscientiousness are important indicators for IA in Dutch adolescents. As PSS was not found to be a mediator, there is a need to find alternative points of intervention for those with at-risk personalities. Future research should focus on replication with a bigger sample, and the use of multiple informants and assessment tools.Show less
eHealth could be an effective tool to reduce stress in students. Since eHealth interventions are easy to use and relatively cheap, especially unguided eHealth interventions, it is important to know...Show moreeHealth could be an effective tool to reduce stress in students. Since eHealth interventions are easy to use and relatively cheap, especially unguided eHealth interventions, it is important to know whether students want to take part in an unguided intervention as much as in a guided intervention, and which personal factors play a role in uptake. With this knowledge it might be possible to engage people that would normally not take part in an intervention. In research regarding adherence, perceived social support (PSS) and self-efficacy (SE) appear to play a role. This study focussed on guided and unguided eHealth interventions and the effect of uptake SE and PSS on uptake. We distributed a questionnaire with screenshots of an app amongst students (N = 143). They were randomly assigned to the guided or unguided condition. No effect was found of group on uptake, also PSS had no effect or interaction effect on uptake. Only a direct effect was found of uptake SE on uptake. A possible explanation for the same willingness to start in both groups is the Computers are Social Actors paradigma. Furthermore, uptake SE seems to influence uptake because in case of low levels of SE more support is needed. The results implicate that the type of intervention does not influence uptake, and that low levels of SE are related to lower levels of uptake. Further research should focus on how to increase uptake SE and the personal factors that play a role in uptake.Show less
