Protective Effects of Perceived Social Support on Anxiety in Health-Care Environments: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Professional Subgroups

Health-care workers are at an elevated risk of anxiety due to their high emotional and operational demands. While social support is recognized as a buffer against psychological distress, little is known about how its protective role differs according to sex, marital status, and departmental setting. A cross-sectional survey was conducted at a regional general hospital in Greece, with 162 health-care professionals. Participants completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. The data were analyzed using correlation, regression, and PROCESS-based mediation and moderation models. Perceived social support was significantly and negatively associated with both state and trait anxiety. Regression analysis showed that social support was a robust independent predictor of lower anxiety. Female participants reported higher anxiety levels, which was partially mediated by lower perceived support. Marital status moderated the support-anxiety relationship, with divorced individuals benefiting most from support. Departmental differences emerged, with psychiatric staff showing lower anxiety and a stronger protective effect of social support than administrative staff. Perceived social support reduces anxiety among health-care professionals, and the magnitude of its effect is influenced by sex, marital status, and occupational context.