Perceived Support, Received Support, and Source of Strain: An Exploratory Study of the Characteristics of Workplace Relationships for Managers

This research explores two areas of social support and social relationships that have remained relatively unexamined: the characteristics of workplace social relationships, and the association between perceived available social support and the social support received when under stress. Firstly, few of the 572 managers in the sample regarded work relationships as a source of available support, and frequently indicated that such relationships contributed to their stress. Secondly, workplace relationships primarily provided support for work, rather than nonwork, stressors. Thirdly, when confronted with a stressful event those with larger support networks sought support from a larger number of relationships, and received more emotional and informational support; those who were satisfied with their available support sought support from a larger number of relationships, and received more emotional support.