Social support at work and job satisfaction among midwives: The mediating role of positive affect and work engagement

Aims This study examined whether social support at work from superiors and colleagues is associated with positive affect at work, and whether work engagement creates a positive relationship with job satisfaction among midwives. We also investigated whether a positive affect and work engagement mediate the relationship between social support at work and job satisfaction. Design This was a quantitative cross‐sectional study. Methods Data were collected from 163 midwives working in the Polish public healthcare system between June 2019 and December 2019. Results There was a direct relationship between support from superiors and colleagues, positive affect at work, work engagement and job satisfaction. The relationship between support from superiors and job satisfaction was mediated partially by positive affect at work and work engagement. In contrast, the relationship between support from colleagues and job satisfaction was mediated entirely by positive affect at work and work engagement. Conclusion Support from colleagues, compared to support from superiors, was a stronger predictor of positive affect at work and job satisfaction among midwives. Support at work is a resource that leads to higher job satisfaction by generating positive feelings and increasing work engagement. Impact We recommend paying particular attention to the role of inter‐personal relationships and positive feelings at work in shaping the level of satisfaction with work among midwives. The personnel management policy at healthcare institutions should be oriented towards strengthening supportive attitudes in the workplace.