How does perceived union support improve the work well-being of nurses in Chinese hospitals?

Using self-determination theory we investigated the relationship between nurses’ perception of union support and work well-being. Data were collected in a self-reported online survey at two time points with 356 nurses employed at five third-tier hospitals in China. The results demonstrated that perceived union support had a statistically significant positive effect on nurses’ work well-being. Competence and relatedness need types mediated this relationship, but the mediating role of autonomy needs was not statistically significant. Our findings enrich the theoretical research on Chinese nurses’ work well-being and provide useful enlightenment for the practice of hospital management in China.