Stress Management Behaviour in Working Adults: A Case Study of Operational-Level Private Sector Employees in the Capital City of Thailand

Abstract

Workplace stress among working adults has emerged as a critical occupational health issue globally. Nevertheless, research on the individual experiences of stress management among private-sector employees in Thailand remains limited. This study sought to bridge this research gap by examining the subjective experiences of both operational-level and managerial-level employees within private organizations in Bangkok, Thailand. The objectives of the study were: 1) to investigate the job demands associated with stress for operational-level employees in Bangkok's private sector; 2) to assess the availability and utilization of job resources by these employees; 3) to evaluate the applicability of the "demand-resource model" in explaining stress and well-being among private-sector employees; and 4) to identify the most effective stress management strategies for operational-level managers in the private sector of Bangkok. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 participants who voluntarily consented to the study. The analysis identified four major themes: job stressors, accessibility and utilization of organizational resources, the impact of imbalances between job demands and resources, and stress management strategies. Findings indicated that participants experienced considerable job demands that adversely affected their well-being.