Chronic Work Stress and Health Promotion: A Narrative Review of Japan, South Africa, and the Netherlands

Abstract

This paper aims to enhance our understanding of how work stress and burnout manifests across Japan, South Africa, and the Netherlands, drawing primarily on peer-reviewed literature and authoritative reports. Japan’s work culture has contributed to high levels of occupational stress and burnout, including karoshi (death by overwork). South African professionals face stressors linked to job insecurity, resource constraints, and workload imbalances, while the Netherlands, despite its progressive labor policies, experiences sector-specific stressors. The review highlights the role of self-care and health promotion initiatives in mitigating work-related stress, focusing on occupational health policies, workplace support structures, and stress management strategies. This paper proposes strategies such as enhancing workplace autonomy, implementing structured health promotion programs, improving task-sharing practices, and advocating for legislative action to mitigate workplace stress and improve employee well-being. This review employs a narrative approach, offering a broad overview of diverse perspectives and insights that capture the complexities of the topic. This method allows for an in-depth exploration of the literature, highlighting the richness of the findings while acknowledging the study's limitations. Recommendations for future research are also made to further explore these strategies in diverse contexts.