Psychological wellbeing of expatriate employees working in Kuwait: A comprative study of public and private sectors

Abstract

Workers working in a foreign location for more than one year are considered to be expatriate workers. The present study investigated the psychological wellbeing of expatriate employees working in Kuwait both public and private sectors. Sample comprised of 200 expatriates employees working in Kuwait (100 public and 100 private sectors). Expatriate employees were assessed for their psychological well-being, using psychological wellbeing scale (Ryff, 1995). Two-way ANOVA was employed to find out the influence of public and private sector jobs along with their qualifications on psychological wellbeing. Findings of this study revealed that, in all the factors of psychological wellbeing including total wellbeing scores, employees working in public sector possessed higher wellbeing than employees working in private sector. Qualification of the employees did not have significant influence over their psychological wellbeing in positive relations with others and selfacceptance factors. It was also found that public sector employees with technical qualification had better wellbeing; where as in private sector employees with non-technical qualification had higher wellbeing.