Exploring the Interplay between Job Stress, Work Performance, and Attitudes toward Professional Psychological Help among Employees

Abstract

Objective: This study explores the interplay between job stress, job-related factors, work performance, and attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help among Vietnamese employees. Methods: A total of 374 employees in Vietnam were surveyed using random sampling and an online questionnaire from November 07 to November 28, 2023. Demographic data and self-reported responses from three scales: The New Job Stress Scale (NJSS), Work Performance (WP), and Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help (ATSPPH_SF) were collected. Significant variations were found across several variables, including forms of work, operating hours, education levels, monthly income, numbers of daily working hours, and the presence of a psychological counseling department within the company. Our analysis has highlighted direct relationships between key latent variables. Employees who were more open to seeking professional help tended to report higher levels of job stress. Attitudes toward seeking professional help also mediated relationships between work-life balance, job stress, and work quality. Conclusion: The study highlights the complex dynamics surrounding job stress, job-related factors, work performance, and attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help among Vietnamese employees. It emphasizes the importance of addressing help-seeking barriers, promoting work engagement, and fostering healthy work-life balance for employee well-being and productivity. Further research across diverse contexts and interventions is needed.