Positive Mental Health and Happiness at Work in a Sample of Portuguese Workers: A Web-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Positive mental health in individuals’ lives and happiness at work have been growing concerns for organizations. This web-based cross-sectional study aimed to understand these two factors and their interrelationship in a population of workers. Data were collected with an e-questionnaire from 1768 individuals currently employed in various public and private organizations. The variables studied included: social and occupational data, happiness at work, and positive mental health. Study participants showed good levels of positive mental health and happiness at work. Positive mental health was positively associated with both organizational happiness domains and function and with perceived productivity (p < 0.001). Using a multiple linear regression model, we found four predictors of overall happiness at work: age, perception of productivity, seniority, and positive mental health factors (personal satisfaction, autonomy and problem-solving and self-actualization) (R2 = 0.249). Organizations wishing to make employees happier and more productive should promote mental health in the workplace. Interventions that focus on the adoption of positive coping techniques in the workplace, such as training focused on increasing intrapreneurial self-capital, should also be explored.