Family Support Inventory for Workers: A new measure of perceived social support from family members

Abstract

A measure of family social support for workers was developed, and initial investigations of its psychometric characteristics were conducted. Data from several samples endorse the internal consistency of the support dimensions of emotional sustenance and instrumental assistance, and confirmatory factor analysis findings reinforce the bidimensional structure of the instrument. Lack of a relationship with social desirability, correlations with life and job satisfactions, and gender differences in perceived instrumental assistance afford preliminary validity evidence. Exploratory multiple regression analyses revealed significant three‐way interactions suggesting that the level of emotional sustenance from family members may be important to job satisfaction for employed women. Furthermore, empirical evidence was generated to assess the viability of the instrument relative to other existing measures of social support. Results supported convergent, discriminant, and nomological validity.

Relationships of job and family involvement, family social support, and work–family conflict with job and life satisfaction.

“…Sample items include: "I am often too tired at work because of things I do at home" and "I am preoccupied with my personal life while at work." King, Mattimore, King, and Adams' (1995) Family Support Inventory for Workers was used to measure family social support; it contains a 29-item emotional sustenance subscale and a 15-item instrumental assistance subscale. Sample items from the emotional sustenance subscale are "Someone in my family helps me feel better when I'm upset about my job" and "Members of my family always seem to make time for me if I need to discuss my work."…”

Social support as a neglected e-learning motivator affecting trainee’s decisions of continuous intentions of usage

“…Thus, research has found that workplace social support is positively related to greater job satisfaction and training effectiveness, and the level of social support received from significant others, including top management, supervisors, peers, and subordinates, all have an influence on individuals (Chen et al, 2007;Harris et al, 2007). In addition to the social support an employee perceives as having in his/her work environment, Adams, King, and King (1996) uncovered the fact that higher levels of family emotional and instrumental social support are significantly associated with less family and work conflicts, less workplace stress (Noor, 2002), and further believe that a higher level of job satisfaction (King et al, 1995) would be the result. It is believed that social support from one's family can also positively influence their life at work (Wayne, Randel, & Stevens, 2006).…”

Identifying Key Workplace Stressors Affecting Twentieth Air Force: Analyses Conducted from December 2012 Through February 2013

“…One established measure of family support is the family support inventory for workers (King et al, 1995). It measures two dimensions: emotional sustenance and instrumental assistance.…”