The role of perceived social and organizational support in predicting resilience among healthcare workers in the public healthcare sector of the Republic of Serbia

Objective. The aim of this study was to determine whether resilience among healthcare workers can be predicted based on perceived social and organizational support. Methods. The study was designed as a non-experimental, observational cross-sectional study and was conducted in 2025, with participants recruited online. The sample was convenient and consisted of a total of 162 healthcare workers employed in the public healthcare sector of the Republic of Serbia, including 45 physicians (27.8%) and 117 nurses/technicians (72.2%). Participants' ages ranged from 21 to 59 years, with a mean age of 40.69 (SD = 9.53). The instruments used were the Brief Resilience Scale, the Perceived Organizational Support Scale, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Results. The results of resilience prediction showed that the first model, which included sociodemographic variables as predictors, was not statistically significant (R = 0.231; R² = 0.053; F(6, 155) = 1.45; p = 0.199). However, the second model, which included perceived organizational and social support as predictors, was statistically significant (R = 0.478; R² = 0.228; F(10, 151) = 4.46; p < 0.001). Within the second model, gender (β = -0.17), organizational support (β = 0.21), and support from friends (β = 0.35) made significant partial contributions to the prediction. Conclusion. The findings have important practical implications for improving mental health and professional functioning of healthcare workers. The results highlight the need for healthcare institutions to systematically recognize and foster the development of social support networks among employees, as well as the importance of enhancing organizational support, both through material and non-material resources.