Care or Climate?  Decoding Psychological Well-Being Pathways in Malaysia’s F&B Workforce

Jamin Kun Peng Xia; Louis Yong Yu Lee; Khai Chie Tang; Hui Xin Tang; Ping Hwee Tay; Kar Wai Tham; Pratibha Chaurasia; Kartik Dhaka; Daisy Mui Hung Kee

doi:10.32535/jcda.v9i3.5071

Care or Climate? Decoding Psychological Well-Being Pathways in Malaysia’s F&B Workforce

Jamin Kun Peng Xia, Louis Yong Yu Lee, Khai Chie Tang, Hui Xin Tang, Ping Hwee Tay, Kar Wai Tham, Pratibha Chaurasia, Kartik Dhaka, Daisy Mui Hung Kee

Abstract

In Malaysia’s food and beverage industry, employees operate under demanding conditions where sustaining psychological well-being has become increasingly critical. Yet, the mechanisms through which organisational environments foster well-being remain insufficiently understood. Drawing on Social Exchange Theory and Job Demands–Resources Model, we examine how psychosocial safety climate influences psychological well-being through perceived organisational support and work engagement. Our results indicate that psychosocial safety climate significantly enhances perceived organisational support, work engagement, and psychological well-being. In turn, both perceived organisational support and work engagement positively contribute to psychological well-being. These findings highlight that a supportive psychosocial climate operates as a critical organisational resource, activating both relational (support-based) and motivational (engagement-driven) pathways to enhance employee well-being. Practical implications emphasize the importance of cultivating psychologically safe and supportive work environments in labor-intensive service sectors.

Keywords

Malaysia; F&B; Psychosocial Safety Climate; Perceived Organisational Support; Work Engagement; Psychological Well-Being.

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References

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.32535/jcda.v9i3.5071