Effects of social support on the stress-health relationship: Gender comparison among military personnel

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate how the role of workplace social support and gender affect the relationship between work stress and the physical and mental health of military personnel in Taiwan. The analysis results reveal that military personnel expressed significantly high perceptions of work-related stress. Social support from supervisors and colleagues is a crucial factor in buffering the effect of work-related stress on perceived health, and increasing the physical and mental health among military personnel. This study shows that male personnel who perceived higher stress and gained more social support from supervisors and colleagues than female personnel were less likely to have physical and mental issues than female personnel. Managerial implications and suggestions could serve as references in managing work-related stress, enhancing social support occurring in the military workplace, and reducing job dissatisfaction, which in turn improves the health and well-being of military personnel in Taiwan.