Social support, buffering effect, reversed buffering effect, emotional support, instrumental support, co-workers, parents, partner, frequency of interactions

This study investigates the moderating role that one’s social support can have on the relation between job insecurity and subjective well-being. The positive moderation effect of social support is known as the buffering effect. The buffering effect of social support reduces the negative effects of job insecurity on well-being. The 2004 data from the European social survey is used to conduct the analysis. By estimating a multilevel linear regression model this research found three moderating support influences. Firstly, the buffering effect is found for the presence of parents. Secondly, the buffering effect of is found for the partner’s contract (no-work, part-time, full-time). Lastly, a reversed buffering effect is found for the occupational skill level of the partner. The reversed buffering effect enhances the negative effects of job insecurity on well-being. This paper concludes that social support has a buffering effect on the relation between job insecurity and well-being and pleads for further investigation of the reversed buffering effect.