Table 4 Effect of pathways of positive coping style on the relationship between perceived social support and mental workload

Direct effect

 (H1) Perceived social support → Mental workload

-0.296

0.068

(-0.431, -0.163)

< 0.001

64.8%

 Perceived social support → Positive coping style

0.569

0.035

(0.499, 0.636)

< 0.001

 (H1) Positive coping style → Mental workload

-0.282

0.064

(-0.405, -0.159)

< 0.001

Indirect effect

 (H2) Perceived social support→ Positive coping style→ Mental workload

-0.161

0.039

(-0.241, -0.091)

< 0.001

35.2%

Total effect

-0.457

0.051

(-0.550, -0.352)

< 0.001