The impact of perceived supervisor support on affective commitment: The mediating role of psychological safety among generation Z employees in creative service industries in Ho Chi Minh city

Abstract

This study aims to explore the relationship between Perceived Supervisor Support (PSS) and employees’ Affective Commitment (AC), while examining the mediating role of Psychological Safety (PS) in this relationship. Data were collected from 380 Gen Z employees currently working in Ho Chi Minh City using a standardized questionnaire. Analytical methods employed include scale reliability testing, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with the support of SPSS and AMOS software. The results indicate that PSS has a significant positive direct effect on both AC and PS; in addition, PS also exerts a positive impact on AC. Notably, PS partially mediates the relationship between PSS and AC, highlighting the importance of psychological mechanisms in translating leadership behavior into emotional commitment among employees. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the indirect pathways through which supervisory support influences employee attitudes, particularly in the context of a young workforce. The study offers practical implications for organizations to foster psychologically safe work environments and adopt supportive leadership styles to strengthen Gen Z employees’ affective attachment to the organization.