Mediating role of supervisor on the association between work stress with physical and psychological symptoms among employees of Isfahan Steel Company in 2012

Background: Nowadays job stress is one of the most important health problems that health and safety professionals are facing with. Much of previous studies have focused on interventions such as stress management and, they have ignored the role of psychosocial factors in occurrence of job stress. This study investigated the mediator role of supervisor support on the association between work stress and both physical and psychological symptoms, among Isfahan steel company employees in 2012. Materials and Methods: The study questionnaire was completed by 189 employees of Isfahan Steel Company in 2012 who accepted to help with this descriptive study. The questionnaire consisted of items asking about work stress, physical and psychological symptoms as well as supervisor support. Results: There were significant intercorrelations between the dependent and independent variables under research. Hierarchy regression analysis showed that supervisor support partially mediated the relationship between work stress and physical and psychological symptoms (p < 0.05). Conclusion: It was concluded that supervisor support is a protective shield against the effects of stress on psychological and physical health, among employees working in the steel company.