Publication: THE IMPACT OF CO-MORBID MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS ON EMPLOYEE JOB PERFORMANCE: A STUDY IN THE MALAYSIAN OFFICES OF A GLOBAL OIL AND GAS SERVICES ORGANIZATION
Date
2025
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
IMU University
Abstract
Background
There is a lack of research in the Malaysian corporate setting on the impact of co- morbid mental health conditions on employee job performance, and the moderating effects of on-the-job training and participation in corporate wellness programmes on the nexus between employees’ stress level and their job performance. Considering the significant economic impact of poor mental health it is worthwhile to address this research gap.
Aim
This study aims to assess the impact of adverse mental health status as characterized by depression, anxiety and stress, on employee job performance in the Malaysian corporate sector; and to determine if participation in on-the-job training and employee mental health wellness programmes moderates the effect of stress on job performance.
Methods/Design
This was a quantitative, cross-sectional study among employees of a global oil and gas services company stationed at their Malaysian office. The study instrument was a self-administered bilingual questionnaire that assessed both mental health status and job performance. Appropriate statistical analysis was employed including ANOVA and Chi-square tests, Pearson and Spearman’s correlations and regression analysis. The moderating effect of on-the-job training and participation in mental health programmes on the relationship between stress and job performance was investigated through regression analysis utilizing a newly created interaction variable.
Results
No significant variation in depression, anxiety and stress level was found across employment units. Job performance was assessed by four domains of absolute absenteeism, relative absenteeism, absolute presenteeism and relative presenteeism. Absolute presenteeism was significantly influenced collectively by depression, anxiety and stress; but individually only by depression. On-the-job training and mental health wellness programmes participation did not significantly moderate the effect of stress and job performance.
Conclusion
This study confirmed that depression, anxiety and stress all significantly reduce job performance as measured by the sole domain of absolute presenteeism. No evidence was found that participation in on-the-job training or participation in employee mental health wellness programmes moderates the relationship between stress and job performance.
Description
Keywords
Work Performance, Health Promotion, Cross-Sectional Studies, Malaysia, Multimorbidity, Mental Disorders, Oil and Gas Industry