Income and Workplace Stress: Psychological Implications for Employees in Afghanistan
Abstract
Mental health problems among employees are increasing globally. While the factors contributing to poor mental health among employees in high-income countries are well-documented, they remain relatively unknown in low-income countries, especially in Afghanistan, where socio-economic challenges may exacerbate these issues. This study aims to investigate the impact of income and job stress on the mental health of employees, with the hypothesis that income has a positive effect, while job stress has a negative effect on employees' mental health. This is a quantitative, correlational study. A total of 205 male employees with an average age of 31 years (SD = 9.01), predominantly married (62%), from Kabul University participated in the study. Data were collected using two questionnaires: the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), and analyzed using SPSS-27. The findings support the hypothesis, showing that income positively (β = 0.23, P < 0.001) and job stress negatively (β = -0.31, p < 0.001) affect mental health (R² = 0.16). The model explained 16% of the variance in mental health outcomes, indicating a modest relationship between income, job stress, and mental health. The lowest levels of job stress were found among employees, with the highest percentages reporting symptoms of depression (47.9%) and anxiety (35%). As a result, while job stress and income influence mental health, the impact is relatively low, and further research is needed to examine other factors affecting employees' mental health. Given the high prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms, it is crucial to address this issue seriously. In Afghanistan, where socio-economic instability and limited mental health resources prevail, understanding these relationships is crucial for developing targeted mental health interventions.
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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18415/ijmmu.v12i3.6732
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