Satisfied but Strained? Limits of job satisfaction in safeguarding mental health offshore oil & gas employees in Malaysia

Nur Dalilah Mohd Rani; Nur Zafifa Kamarunzaman; Azlyn Ahmad Zawawi

doi:10.21834/e-bpj.v10iSI38.7649

Authors

Nur Dalilah Mohd Rani Faculty of Administrative Science & Policy Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.
Nur Zafifa Kamarunzaman Faculty of Administrative Science & Policy Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 70300 Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia; Governance and Policy Study (GaPs), Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.
Azlyn Ahmad Zawawi Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 08400 Merbok, Kedah, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21834/e-bpj.v10iSI38.7649

Keywords:

job satisfaction, mental health, offshore, oil and gas

Abstract

This study explores the impact of job satisfaction on the mental health of 364 offshore oil and gas (O&G) employees in Malaysia. Using PLS-SEM, results show that job satisfaction reduces anxiety, emotional exhaustion, and psychological distress by fostering purpose and organizational belonging. However, its protective effect is constrained by structural factors such as job insecurity, organizational hierarchy, and mental health stigma. While supportive supervision and role clarity offer partial relief, a rigid work culture and limited psychological safety weaken this effect. The findings underscore the need to integrate job satisfaction into broader systemic efforts to improve offshore psychological well-being.

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