Abstract
The purpose of this study was to identify distinctive mental health profiles for industrial psychologists based on the Mental Health Continuum. Further, it aimed to determine how these profiles differ with respect to work-role fit, meaningfulness and work engagement. It also aimed to investigate whether industrial psychologists within managerial or specialist differ in respect of different types of mental health. An online cross-sectional survey design was employed to draw a census sample (n = 274) from all South African industrial psychologists. A biographical questionnaire, the Work-Role Fit Scale, the Psychological Meaningfulness Scale, the Work Engagement Scale, and the Mental Health Continuum–Short Form were administered. Descriptive statistics, correlations, latent profile analysis, MANOVAs and ANOVAs were computed. Three mental health profiles for industrial psychologists were identified: languishing, moderately mentally healthy and flourishing. Significant differences between the three mental health profiles and experiences of meaningful work-role fit and work engagement were found, but not between experiences of managerial roles. The results show that individuals with different mental health profiles, experience work and its related outcomes, differently. Therefore, in order to enhance meaningful work-role fit and work engagement of industrial psychologists, a one-size-fits-all model may not be appropriate.
Highlights
Industrial psychologists are predisposed to develop mental health problems due to the unique physical, emotional and psychological demands inherent to their profession (Meyers, 2007; Jorgensen & van Zyl, in press; Schaerer, 2011)
Industrial psychologists spend a vast majority of their time on activities unrelated to their area of expertise which results in a significant discrepancy between the activities which provide them with energy and those that distract from such (Van Zyl, Deacon, & Rothmann, 2010)
The results showed that a significant difference in meaningful work-role fit was apparent between languishing and flourishing (Dx = 1.24; p \ 0.01) and between moderate mental health and flourishing (Dx = 0.84; p \ 0.01)
Summary
Industrial psychologists are predisposed to develop mental health problems due to the unique physical, emotional and psychological demands inherent to their profession (Meyers, 2007; Jorgensen & van Zyl, in press; Schaerer, 2011). Industrial psychologists spend a vast majority of their time on activities unrelated to their area of expertise which results in a significant discrepancy between the activities which provide them with energy and those that distract from such (Van Zyl, Deacon, & Rothmann, 2010) This misfit between the person and work, coupled with the collectively shared identity crisis and the unique demands inherent to their profession, may result in increased experiences of meaninglessness and disengagement (Barkhuizen et al, 2015; McCann et al, 2013) which. Given the important role which these individuals play at work, it is surprising that research into the mental health of industrial psychologists is relatively non-existent (Van Zyl et al, 2010, 2016)
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