Abstract
M.Phil. (Industrial Psychology)
Orientation: Positive experiences in the workplace, such as support and work engagement, are essential for enhancing subjective wellbeing (happiness and satisfaction with life).
Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between social support, supervisor support, work engagement, happiness, and satisfaction with life, as well as investigate whether work engagement mediates support on subjective wellbeing (happiness and satisfaction with life).
Motivation: The presence of support (social and supervisor) and work engagement can spill over and affect non-work; specifically, subjective wellbeing (happiness and satisfaction with life). Individuals with high subjective wellbeing are successful across multiple life domains.
Method: A cross-sectional survey was used with participants spanning across diverse organisations, ages, racial groups and occupational levels (N=789). The Work Engagement Scale (May, Harter, & Gilson, 2004), Job Demands-Resources Scale (Jackson & Rothmann, 2005), Satisfaction with Life Scale (Diener, Emmons, Larsen, & Griffin, 1985 ) and Subjective Happiness Scale (Lyubomirsky & Lepper, 1999) were used to determine the objectives of this study.
Results: The results show significant relationships between happiness, satisfaction with life, social support, organisational support, and work engagement. Additionally, work engagement predicted happiness and satisfaction with life; social support predicted work engagement and satisfaction with life. Supervisor supports predicted subjective wellbeing (happiness and satisfaction with life) but not work engagement. There is therefore partial mediation, as supervisor support did not predict work engagement. Contribution: This study seeks to highlight the concept of support (social and supervisor) and work engagement as constructs that are significant in enhancing subjective wellbeing (happiness and satisfaction with life). Through organisations promoting these positive outcomes at work, enhances productivity.