Mediating role of perceived supervisor support in the relationship between job autonomy and mental health: moderating role of value–means fit

Abstract

Based on self-determination theory (SDT), this study investigates the relationship between job autonomy and mental health and the mediating role of perceived supervisor support (PSS) in that relationship. The study also examines whether employees’ work values moderate the relationships between job autonomy and PSS and mental health. Although it is well known that job autonomy has close relationships with mental health, we know little about the roles of PSS and employees’ values in these relationships. Using data from a nationally representative survey, this study found that PSS mediated the relationship between job autonomy and mental health. Furthermore, intrinsic work values positively moderated the relationships of job autonomy with PSS and mental health, whereas extrinsic work values negatively moderated these relationships. These findings support the idea of value–means fit. The findings provide important implications, beyond SDT, for how employees’ mental health can be improved and which employees benefit more from job autonomy.

Keywords:

• Job autonomy
• mental health
• perceived supervisor support
• self-determination theory
• value–means fit
• work values

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Acknowledgements

The present research was conducted by the research fund of Dankook University in 2013.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.