Family-supportive supervisor behaviour positively affects work behaviour and nonwork well-being among men in long-term care

Aims: This study examined whether family-supportive supervisor behavior is associated with work behavior (safety compliance and organizational citizenship behavior) and nonwork well#x2010;being (family time adequacy, time in bed and sleep quality) among men working in long-term care. Men's nonwork care roles for children (double-duty-child caregivers), adult relatives (double-duty-adult caregivers), or children and adult relatives (triple-duty caregivers) were assessed as moderators.

Background: Family-supportive supervisor behaviour is a modifiable workplace practice that may help recruit and retain men in nursing amid their increasing nonwork demands.

Method: Multiple linear regression analysis was performed on cross-sectional, secondary survey data from 122 men working in U.S.-based nursing homes.

Results: Family-supportive supervisor behaviour was directly and positively related to safety compliance, organisational citizenship behaviour and family time adequacy. It was also positively associated with time in bed and sleep quality for double-duty caregivers.

Conclusion: Family-supportive supervisor behaviour plays an important role in the work behaviour and nonwork well-being of men with and without nonwork care roles in the long-term care workforce, a finding with favourable implications at the employee and organisational level.

Implications for nursing management: Managers need to recognize that family-supportive supervisor behavior can benefit men, as many have nonwork caregiving responsibilities. Training may facilitate nurse managers' engagement in family-supportive supervisor behaviour and, in turn, improve employees' work and nonwork outcomes (link to training resources provided).