MESSAGE DESIGN LOGIC, SOCIAL SUPPORT, AND MIXED-STATUS RELATIONSHIPS

This study explores the relationship between superiors' and subordinat es' message design logic types and reported amounts of relational soci al support, trust, discussion of innovation, personal control, expecte d performance ratings, and burnout. We sought to determine whether rel ational patterns in design logics exist enabling the identification an d prediction of mixed-status relationships where social support is enh anced. Findings obtained from a voluntary sample of nurses suggest tha t those relationships where the nurse-manager employs a ''rhetorical'' message design logic and the staff nurse does not report the highest levels of relational support, trust, talk on innovation, personal cont rol, expected positive performance rating, and lowest levels of burnou t result.