Consequences of family-supportive supervisor behaviour: A meta-analytic review

Abstract

Purpose: Significant academic focus has been placed on family-supportive supervisor behaviour (FSSB), yet findings remain inconsistent, challenging field advancement. This study aims to conduct a comprehensive meta-analysis of FSSB and its outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach: Using Hunter-Schmidt random-effect meta-analysis, we examined 17 FSSB outcomes based on 158 correlations from 70 independent studies (N = 37 086).

Findings/results: The FSSB positively correlated with family-work enrichment (ρ = 0.34), job satisfaction (ρ = 0.46), leader-member exchange (ρ = 0.69), organisational citizenship behaviour (ρ = 0.15), organisational commitment (ρ = 0.43), perceived health (ρ = 0.15), prosocial motivation (ρ = 0.21), satisfaction with work-family balance (ρ = 0.39), task performance (ρ = 0.23), work engagement (ρ = 0.44), and work-family enrichment (ρ = 0.45). Conversely, FSSB negatively correlated with burnout (ρ = 0.33), family-work conflict (ρ = 0.14), turnover intention (ρ = 0.35), and work-family conflict (ρ = 0.30). Gender and research design moderated several relationships.

Practical implications: Promoting FSSB in organisations can enhance work-family balance and job outcomes, particularly relevant in the remote work era. Training leaders in FSSB may significantly improve employee well-being, performance, and organisational success.

Originality/value: This study addresses the inconsistencies in the existing FSSB literature. It comprehensively delineates the true score correlations between FSSB and its 17 varied outcomes, highlighting several moderating variables that influence this relationship.