The role of job support as a target for the management of work-related stress: The state of art

Work related stress represents one of the most important emerging risks in occupational health and management. The implementation of targeted strategies to manage stress antecedents and outcomes represents a global challenge with relevant implications for workers well-being and business success. Despite the direct and indirect costs of work-related stress are well established, companies often fail to find adequate strategies to manage stress and the use of large sums of money not always reach the goal of improving a conflictual environment. One of the most important determinants of work-related stress onset is the lack of a supportive work climate, in terms of poor support provided by colleagues, supervisors or organizations. Improving organizational support can represent a target for both managers and workers who want to mitigate the negative consequences of stress, both in economic and health terms. The aim of this study was to investigate, through a narrative literature review, how a poor organizational support can affect a work organization, and which strategies are now available to improve a supportive climate. Focusing on the last five years of publication, pertinent scientific articles are critically checked and discussed. The results of this narrative review could represent a useful tool for supervisors and leaders, providing evidence on successful strategies to improve workers’ well-being and consequently business success.