Exploring the dynamics of Supervisor Support, Supervisor Harassment and their impact on Career Satisfaction an d Positive Mental Health of Older Working Women

Abstract

This study examined the independent and combined effects of supervisor support and harassment on career satisfaction and positive mental health of 203 senior manageria l and professional women in IT, healthcare, education, and manufacturing across North India. Supervisor harassment independently and negatively predicted career satisfaction, while supervisor support positively influenced both career satisfaction and positive mental health, with stronger effects than harassment. Notably, high supervisor support mitigated the negative impact of sexual harassment on positive mental health. Both supervisor support and supervisor harassment significantly positively predicted positive mental health. The authors emphasize that simultaneous examination of support and harassment provides a nuanced understanding of supervisory relationships, with implications for research and practice.