Social Support and Well-Being: The Survival Kit for the Work Jungle

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The manuscript entitled "Social Support and Well-being: The Survival Kit for the Work Jungle" aimed to investigate two important objectives: objective 1 - the effect of perceived social support on perceived employability and whether this relationship is mediated by well-being; objective 2 - the moderating effect of perceived self-efficacy on the relationship between well-being and perceived employability, by formulating 6 hypotheses.
Positive aspects:
- The structure of the work is logical
- A coherent combination of literature and hypotheses is observed
- All sections of the work have an exhaustive approach, which is appreciated
- The cited references are adequate and relevant
Suggestion:
- All instruments included in the work methodology should be defined, briefly described (one sentence). Such as ESSS, Cronbach's alpha, PERMA Profiler, Pearson's correlations, Sobel test.
Thank you!

Author Response

Article

Social Support and Well-being: The Survival Kit for the Work Jungle

 

- REVISION 1 -

Dear Reviewer 1

Thank you very much for taking the time to review this manuscript. Please find the detailed responses below and the corresponding revisions/corrections highlighted/in red in the re-submitted files.

Comment: The manuscript entitled "Social Support and Well-being: The Survival Kit for the Work Jungle" aimed to investigate two important objectives: objective 1 - the effect of perceived social support on perceived employability and whether this relationship is mediated by well-being; objective 2 - the moderating effect of perceived self-efficacy on the relationship between well-being and perceived employability, by formulating 6 hypotheses.

Positive aspects:

- The structure of the work is logical

- A coherent combination of literature and hypotheses is observed

- All sections of the work have an exhaustive approach, which is appreciated

- The cited references are adequate and relevant

Suggestion:

- All instruments included in the work methodology should be defined, briefly described (one sentence). Such as ESSS, Cronbach's alpha, PERMA Profiler, Pearson's correlations, Sobel test.

Thank you!

Thank you for your kind comments on our manuscript. As a suggestion, we have added more information about some of the procedures carried out in the data analysis procedure.

Yours sincerely,

On behalf of my co-authors,

 

References added to the manuscript:

Eccles, J. S., Barber, B. L., Stone, M., and Hunt, J. (2003). Extracurricular activities and adolescent development. J. Soc. Issues 59, 865–889. doi: 10.1046/j.0022- 4537.2003.00095.x

Erikson, E. H. (1968). Identity: Youth and Crisis. New York, NY: W. W. Norton & Company

González Moreno, A.; Sim.es, C.; Santos, A.C.; Molero Jurado, M. d. M. Creative Self-Efficacy and Social Skills in a Portuguese Sample of University Students: Links with Self-Esteem, Academic Achievement and Life Satisfaction. Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ., 2024, 14, 2966–2977. https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe14120195

Hassouna, M. M., Zaazou, Z. A. (2024). The Impact of Undergraduate Internships on Employability - An Empirical Study. The Academic Journal of Contemporary Commercial Research, 4(3), 24-46.

Hill, M., & Hill, A. (2002). Investigação por Questionário. Edições Sílabo.

INE, Instituto Nacional de Estatística, Statistics Portugal. (2025). Estimativas mensais de emprego e desemprego. https://www.ine.pt/xportal/xmain?xpid=INE&xpgid=ine_destaques&DESTAQUESdest_boui=701630254&DESTAQUESmodo=2 (accessed on 8 May 2025)

Jöreskog, K. G., & Sörbom, D. (1993). LISREL 8: Structural equation modeling with the SIMPLIS command language. Scientific Software International; Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc.

McCallum, R., Browne, M., & Sugawara, H. (1996). Power analysis and determination of sample size for covariance structural modelling. Psychological Methods, 1, 130–149. https://doi.org/10.1037/1082-989X.1.2.130

Macedo, M.; Au-Yong-Oliveira, M.;Walter, C.E.; Moreira, A. Internships with Portuguese Speakers: Leadership, Organisational Culture and the Current Brain Drain. Sustainability, 2022, 14, 10776. https://doi.org/10.3390/su141710776

PORDATA, Fundação Francisco Manuel dos Santos – Base de dados Portugal contemporâneo (2025). Salários e pensões. Dados sobre o salário mínimo nacional, o salário médio, disparidade salarial, valor mínimo e despesas das pensões e muito mais. https://www.pordata.pt/pt/estatisticas/salarios-e-pensoes (accessed on 8 May 2025)

Sobel, K. M., Elashoff, R.M. (1975) Group testing with a new goal, estimation. Biometrika, 62, 181-193

Velez, M.J.; Marujo, H.A.; Charepe, Z.; Querido, A.; Laranjeira, C. Well-Being and Dispositional Hope in a Sample of Portuguese Citizens: The Mediating Role of Mental Health. Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ., 2024, 14, 2101–2115. https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe14070140

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The paper is interesting and addresses an important issue. However, the limitations of the study should be noted and taken into account in the conclusions. The authors mention limitations regarding the method of data collection. However, it is also important to place the analysis in an appropriate economic context. Employability depends on many factors, both on the supply and demand sides of the labor market. Aggregate labor demand, structural matching of labor supply and demand, and the impact of institutional factors, such as legal regulations, are important. For example, the field of study, internships, or specific skills may be more important for professional success than subjective self-perception. Therefore, although psychosocial factors are important, analyzing them in isolation from a complex frame of reference can lead to oversimplification or even erroneous conclusions. In addition, there is also the possibility of feedback, which you describe, as well-being and a better perception of one's chances on the labor market can have many sources, not only psychological ones. The links between well-being and success have been described in ancient literature and are quite obvious. Well-being and self-confidence, like other types of capital, are often inherited and may also be linked to, for example, social background or the family's social and business contacts. Therefore, although the analysis presented is valuable and the conclusions are valid, its limitations should be thoroughly discussed and additional issues should be included in the discussion. In summary: supplement the analysis with the missing elements and discuss their possible significance for the results of your study.

Author Response

Article

Social Support and Well-being: The Survival Kit for the Work Jungle

- REVISION 1 -

Dear Reviewer 2

The paper is interesting and addresses an important issue. However, the limitations of the study should be noted and taken into account in the conclusions. The authors mention limitations regarding the method of data collection. However, it is also important to place the analysis in an appropriate economic context. Employability depends on many factors, both on the supply and demand sides of the labor market. Aggregate labor demand, structural matching of labor supply and demand, and the impact of institutional factors, such as legal regulations, are important. For example, the field of study, internships, or specific skills may be more important for professional success than subjective self-perception. Therefore, although psychosocial factors are important, analyzing them in isolation from a complex frame of reference can lead to oversimplification or even erroneous conclusions. In addition, there is also the possibility of feedback, which you describe, as well-being and a better perception of one's chances on the labor market can have many sources, not only psychological ones. The links between well-being and success have been described in ancient literature and are quite obvious. Well-being and self-confidence, like other types of capital, are often inherited and may also be linked to, for example, social background or the family's social and business contacts. Therefore, although the analysis presented is valuable and the conclusions are valid, its limitations should be thoroughly discussed, and additional issues should be included in the discussion. In summary: supplement the analysis with the missing elements and discuss their possible significance for the results of your study.

Thank you for your kind comments on our manuscript. As a suggestion, more information on the descriptive statistics of the variables under study has been added at the end of the discussion. We have also added two more limitations related to Portugal's economic and social situation.

Yours sincerely,

On behalf of my co-authors,

References added to the manuscript:

Eccles, J. S., Barber, B. L., Stone, M., and Hunt, J. (2003). Extracurricular activities and adolescent development. J. Soc. Issues 59, 865–889. doi: 10.1046/j.0022- 4537.2003.00095.x

Erikson, E. H. (1968). Identity: Youth and Crisis. New York, NY: W. W. Norton & Company

González Moreno, A.; Sim.es, C.; Santos, A.C.; Molero Jurado, M. d. M. Creative Self-Efficacy and Social Skills in a Portuguese Sample of University Students: Links with Self-Esteem, Academic Achievement and Life Satisfaction. Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ., 2024, 14, 2966–2977. https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe14120195

Hassouna, M. M., Zaazou, Z. A. (2024). The Impact of Undergraduate Internships on Employability - An Empirical Study. The Academic Journal of Contemporary Commercial Research, 4(3), 24-46.

Hill, M., & Hill, A. (2002). Investigação por Questionário. Edições Sílabo.

INE, Instituto Nacional de Estatística, Statistics Portugal. (2025). Estimativas mensais de emprego e desemprego. https://www.ine.pt/xportal/xmain?xpid=INE&xpgid=ine_destaques&DESTAQUESdest_boui=701630254&DESTAQUESmodo=2 (accessed on 8 May 2025)

Jöreskog, K. G., & Sörbom, D. (1993). LISREL 8: Structural equation modeling with the SIMPLIS command language. Scientific Software International; Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc.

McCallum, R., Browne, M., & Sugawara, H. (1996). Power analysis and determination of sample size for covariance structural modelling. Psychological Methods, 1, 130–149. https://doi.org/10.1037/1082-989X.1.2.130

Macedo, M.; Au-Yong-Oliveira, M.;Walter, C.E.; Moreira, A. Internships with Portuguese

Speakers: Leadership, Organisational Culture and the Current Brain Drain. Sustainability, 2022, 14, 10776. https://doi.org/10.3390/su141710776

PORDATA, Fundação Francisco Manuel dos Santos – Base de dados Portugal contemporâneo (2025). Salários e pensões. Dados sobre o salário mínimo nacional, o salário médio, disparidade salarial, valor mínimo e despesas das pensões e muito mais. https://www.pordata.pt/pt/estatisticas/salarios-e-pensoes (accessed on 8 May 2025)

Sobel, K. M., Elashoff, R.M. (1975) Group testing with a new goal, estimation. Biometrika, 62, 181-193

Velez, M.J.; Marujo, H.A.; Charepe, Z.; Querido, A.; Laranjeira, C. Well-Being and Dispositional Hope in a Sample of Portuguese Citizens: The Mediating Role of Mental Health. Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ., 2024, 14, 2101–2115. https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe14070140

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

It's better, but there is still room for improvement. First of all, you did not include my recommendations in your conclusions. The brief reference to the economic situation that you included is not sufficient. Indicate the broader economic context in which you placed your study and refer to it in your discussion and conclusions.
The phenomenon you are studying exists in a specific frame of reference, and this should be taken into account. Could your results depend not only on the general economic situation, but also on the structural picture of the economy, especially the labor market? Employability, like the labor market, is not a homogeneous category. You are studying a specific group of potential employees, classified as outsiders, who have specific characteristics that distinguish them from employees with professional experience, but also from other groups of outsiders. Link these elements when formulating your conclusions and recommendations, albeit in a few specific sentences supported by the literature.

Author Response

Article

Social Support and Well-being: The Survival Kit for the Work Jungle

 

- REVISION 2 -

Dear Reviewer 2

Thank you very much for taking the time to review this manuscript. Please find the detailed responses below and the corresponding revisions/corrections highlighted/in red in the re-submitted files.

Comment: It's better, but there is still room for improvement. First of all, you did not include my recommendations in your conclusions. The brief reference to the economic situation that you included is not sufficient. Indicate the broader economic context in which you placed your study and refer to it in your discussion and conclusions.

The phenomenon you are studying exists in a specific frame of reference, and this should be taken into account. Could your results depend not only on the general economic situation, but also on the structural picture of the economy, especially the labor market? Employability, like the labor market, is not a homogeneous category. You are studying a specific group of potential employees, classified as outsiders, who have specific characteristics that distinguish them from employees with professional experience, but also from other groups of outsiders. Link these elements when formulating your conclusions and recommendations, albeit in a few specific sentences supported by the literature.

Thank you for your suggestions. We have tried to respond to your suggestions by improving both the discussion and the conclusions. We hope you agree with what we have done.

Yours sincerely,

On behalf of my co-authors,

 

 

References added to the manuscript:

(Amabile, 1998) Amabile, T.M. (1998). How to kill creativity. Harvard Business Review. September-October.

(Dierendonck & Patterson, 2010) D. Van Dierendonck & K. Patterson (Eds.) (2010). Servant Leadership - Developments in Theory and Research. Palgrave macmillan.

(Graça & Au-Yong-Oliveira, 2024) Graça, B., Au-Yong-Oliveira, M. (2024). Competitiveness strategies for negative organisations –Challenging the Status Quo. Switzerland: Springer.

(Hofstede, 2001) Hofstede, G. (2001). Culture’s Consequences: Comparing Values, Behaviors, Institutions and Organizations Across Nations. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf