WORKPLACE STRESS AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS IN HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF COPING STYLES AND THE MODERATING INFLUENCE OF GENDER

Abstract

Workplace stress is a pervasive and escalating concern within healthcare environments, posing serious risks to the psychological well-being of healthcare professionals. Chronic exposure to high workloads, emotional demands, time pressure, and organizational constraints often results in elevated psychological distress, including anxiety, depression, and burnout. This study investigates the mediating role of coping styles in the relationship between workplace stress and psychological distress and examines gender as a moderating factor within this pathway. A cross-sectional survey design was employed, drawing data from 1,200 healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, and allied health staff, working in tertiary healthcare institutions. Validated instruments the Perceived Stress Scale, Brief COPE, and General Health Questionnaire were utilized to measure workplace stress, coping strategies, and psychological distress, respectively. Mediation and moderation analyses revealed that both adaptive and maladaptive coping styles significantly mediated the stress–distress relationship, while gender moderated the strength of these indirect effects. Female healthcare professionals reported higher stress levels and greater reliance on emotion-focused coping strategies compared to males. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating gender-sensitive coping interventions and stress management programs within healthcare organizations.