The Impact of Supervisory Career Support on Employees’ Well-Being: A Dual Path Model of Opportunity and Ability

Abstract

Background: In the pursuit of fostering employees’ well-being, leaders are recognized as playing a vital role. However, so far, most of the existing research has focused on leadership behavior and the superficial interaction between leaders and members but has unexpectedly ignored the specific supporting role of supervisors in the career development of employees, that is, supervisory career support. Additionally, the internal mechanism of how career support from supervisors is related to and promotes employees’ well-being is still unclear. Based on social cognitive career theory (SCCT), this study aimed to explore whether, how, and when supervisory career support affects employee well-being by introducing the two paths of ‘career prospect’ and ‘career confidence.’ Methods: During July 2023, this study employed a cross-sectional design. We gathered participants from corporate situated in Southern China. Results: Results based on a large sample of 14,533 employees showed that supervisory career support was positively related to employees’ well-being through the dual path of career prospects (opportunity) and career confidence (ability). Employees high in proactive personality experienced the above positive effects most. Conclusion: This study provides meaningful implications for managers to implement personalized support strategies to improve employees’ well-being.