Growth Mindset of Business Skills and Perceived Work Stress: Uncovering Potential Mediating Roles

While significant strides have been made in the mindset literature, the fundamental mechanisms that connect a growth mindset to workplace stress remain elusive. The present study uses Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) theory to investigate the mediating roles of work engagement and positive emotions in the relationship between growth mindset of business skills (GMB) and workplace stress perception. Utilizing a two-wave survey through a cross-lagged panel design with a six-week time interval, this research was conducted during the pandemic. A total of 300 employees completed the questionnaire at two time points. The findings reveal that: 1. GMB exhibits a two-dimensional factor structure, encompassing both growth and fixed aspects; 2. the association between GMB and stress perception was first mediated by work engagement and then positive emotions; 3. positive emotions were identified to directly mediate the relationship between GMB and perceived work stress. These results provide valuable insights into the mechanisms that explain the relationship between personal resources, work well-being, and workplace stress.

Besides, these findings have significant implications for human resource management practices in the evolving work environment. Specifically, tailoring growth mindset interventions that focus on specific, relevant skills such as business skills may be more effective than interventions that target overall intelligence and ability. Additionally, incorporating both growth mindset and work engagement workshops into HR training and modules could be advantageous for organisations, particularly for preventing another outbreak of mental health issues due to pandemic that may happen in the near future. Lastly, combining mentoring programmes that foster work engagement with interventions designed to promote positive emotions can provide employees with additional support, resources, and opportunities for personal and professional development.