THE IMPACT OF OCCUPATIONAL STRESS ON ABSENTEEISM: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING

Abstract

This research examines the connection between occupational stress (OS) and employee’s absenteeism (A), emphasizing the mediating influence of psychological well-being (PW) within the context of the Job Demands–Resources (JD-R) Model. In today's high-pressure work settings, maintaining both employees attendance and mental health is essential for organizational success. A cross-sectional survey involving 300 employees  from the service, private, and industrial sectors was carried out utilizing standardized assessments of OS, PW, and A. The findings indicated significant negative correlations between OS and PW, as well as between PW and A. Mediation analysis revealed that PW plays a significant mediating role in the relationship between OS and A, suggesting that occupational stress indirectly contributes to absenteeism through its adverse effects on mental health. These results enhance the theoretical framework of the JD-R Model by clarifying the psychological processes that connect workplace stress to withdrawal behaviors. From a practical standpoint, the findings highlight the critical importance of promoting psychological well-being to reduce absenteeism and improve workforce sustainability.