MENTAL WORKLOAD, JOB STRESS, AND LEADERSHIP TRUST SHAPING EMPLOYEE CREATIVITY VIA PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS
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Muh Na afi Utama(1*)
Management, Faculty of Economics and Business, Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta
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Muhammad Sholahuddin(2)
Management, Faculty of Economics and Business, Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta
(*) Corresponding Author
Keywords:
Creativity, Innovation, Leadership, Psychological Distress, Work Stress
Abstract
This study investigates the influence of mental workload, work stress, and trust in leaders on employee creativity and innovation at XYZ University, both directly and through psychological distress as a mediating variable. The research adopts a quantitative explanatory approach and involves employees who have been actively working for at least one year in academic or managerial roles. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with the assistance of SmartPLS.The findings reveal that work stress negatively affects employee creativity and innovation, while trust in leaders plays an important role in encouraging innovative behavior among employees. Meanwhile, mental workload and psychological distress do not show a direct influence on creativity and innovation, and psychological distress does not mediate the relationship between the studied variables. The results highlight the importance of leadership quality and effective stress management in fostering creativity and innovation within organizations. Future research is recommended to expand the research context to different organizations, include additional relevant variables, and apply longitudinal or mixed-method approaches to better understand the psychological dynamics of employees in the workplace.
Keywords: Creativity; Innovation; Leadership; Psychological Distress; Work Stress
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References
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Ramaswamy, M., Viswanathan, R., Kaniyarkuzhi, B., & Neeliyadath, S. (2023). A re-engagement model to overcome the psychological distress of students. International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education, 12(4), 1973–1984. https://doi.org/10.11591/ijere.v12i4.24553
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https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2025.2511282
Verawati, L. (2024). the Influence of Job Stress Mediates Work-Family Conflict. Jurnal Manajemen Dayasaing, 26(2), 159–169.
Wajdi, G. F. (2023). Pengaruh Stres Kerja Dan Kepuasan Kerja Terhadap Turnover Intention Yang Dimediasi Oleh Komitmen Organisasi (Studi Kasus PT. Pos Indonesia Kantor Cabang Pekalongan). Jurnal Multidisiplin Indonesia, 2(8), 2168–2177. https://doi.org/10.58344/jmi.v2i8.427
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http://publications.lib.chalmers.se/records/fulltext/245180/245180.pdf
Williamson, A. J., Gish, J. J., & Stephan, U. (2021). Let’s Focus on Solutions to Entrepreneurial Ill-Being! Recovery Interventions to Enhance Entrepreneurial Well-Being. Entrepreneurship: Theory and Practice, 45(6), 1307–1338. https://doi.org/10.1177/10422587211006431
Yassin, T. (2021). The Role of Empowering Leadership Style in Improving Employee Job Satisfaction in Government Organizations. Benefit: Jurnal Manajemen Dan Bisnis, 6(2), 97–110.
Zaman, D. K., Siddiquei, D. A. N., Badar, D. K., & Qureshi, M. A. R. (2024). The stress-inducing potential of inclusive leadership: Does resilience help? International Journal of Project Management, 42(7), 102650.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2024.102650
Albashiti, B., Hamid, Z., & Aboramadan, M. (2021). Fire in the belly: the impact of despotic leadership on employees work-related outcomes in the hospitality setting. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 33(10), 3564–3584. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCHM-03-2021-0394
Ali, I., Gligor, D., Balta, M., Bozkurt, S., & Papadopoulos, T. (2024). From disruption to innovation: The importance of the supply chain leadership style for driving logistics innovation in the face of geopolitical disruptions. Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, 187(June 2023), 103583. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tre.2024.103583
Amari, A. (2023). Which kind of perceived organisational support fosters self-initiated expatriate engineers’ creativity in high-adversity contexts? The moderating role of cross-cultural resilience. Cogent Business and Management, 10(3). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2023.2259150
Anasori, E., Bayighomog, S. W., De Vita, G., & Altinay, L. (2021). The mediating role of psychological distress between ostracism, work engagement, and turnover intentions: An analysis in the Cypriot hospitality context. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 94(December 2020), 102829.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2020.102829
Anwar, M. Z., Muafi, Widodo, & Suprihanto, J. (2022). Psychological Distress Model towards Human Resource Performance in Islamic Spiritual Intelligence Context. Asian Journal of Business Research, 12(1), 57–76.
https://doi.org/10.14707/ajbr.220120
Anwar, M. Z., Muafi, Widodo, W., & Suprihanto, J. (2023). Consequence of psychological distress on performance achievement: A social exchange theory perspective. Intangible Capital, 19(2), 93–109. https://doi.org/10.3926/IC.2128
Bakker, A. B., & Demerouti, E. (2007). The Job Demands-Resources model: State of the art. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 22(3), 309–328.
https://doi.org/10.1108/02683940710733115
Bakker, A. B., & Demerouti, E. (2017). Job demands-resources theory: Taking stock and looking forward. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 22(3), 273–285. https://doi.org/10.1037/ocp0000056
Baskoro, B. D. (2022). The nexus of transactional leadership, knowledge sharing behavior and organizational creativity: empirical evidence from construction workers in Jakarta. Journal of Work-Applied Management, 14(1), 145–162. https://doi.org/10.1108/JWAM-02-2021-0020
Berthon, L., Bernard, F., Fleury, S., Paquin, R., & Richir, S. (2025). Multi-dimensional measurement of mental workload in industrial context: an experiment in the field of helicopter maintenance. Applied Ergonomics, 129(January). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104599
Biemans, W. G., & Huizingh, E. K. R. E. (2024). Why so serious? The effects of humour on creativity and innovation. Creativity and Innovation Management, 33(2), 181–196. https://doi.org/10.1111/caim.12587
Hanaysha, J. R., Kumar, V. V. A., In’airat, M., & Paramaiah, C. (2022). Direct and indirect effects of servant and ethical leadership styles on employee creativity: mediating role of organizational citizenship behavior. Arab Gulf Journal of Scientific Research, 40(1), 79–98. https://doi.org/10.1108/AGJSR-04-2022-0033
Idris, I., Suyuti, A., Supriyanto, A. S., & As, N. (2022). Transformational Leadership, Political Skill, Organizational Culture, and Employee Performance: a Case From Tourism Company in Indonesia. Geojournal of Tourism and Geosites , 40(1), 104–110. https://doi.org/10.30892/GTG.40112-808
Khassawneh, O., Mohammad, T., & Ben-Abdallah, R. (2022). The Impact of Leadership on Boosting Employee Creativity: The Role of Knowledge Sharing as a Mediator. Administrative Sciences, 12(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci12040175
Kuswati, R., Soepatini, S., Vrasica, R., & Rayyantika, F. (2021). Instruments Validation of Pro-Environmental Behaviour Model Validasi Instrumen Model Perilaku Pro Lingkungan. Prosiding 14th Urecol.
Mumford, M. D., Fichtel, M., England, S., & Newbold, T. R. (2023). Leader Thinking, Follower Thinking: Leader Impacts on Follower Creative Performance. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 10, 413–440. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-orgpsych-120920-045553
Nugroho, R. (2023). Knowledge Sharing as Key Driver for the Rise of Innovative Work Behavior. Media Ekonomi Dan Manajemen, 38(2), 266.
https://doi.org/10.56444/mem.v38i2.3513
Park, S., & Kim, J. (2025). Employment Status and Life Satisfaction Among Older Adults: Disentangling the Gendered Effects of Entering and Exiting Employment. Innovation in Aging, 9(4). https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igaf013
Prasetyo, R. A. B., & Iridiastadi, H. (2025). Mental Workload: Definition and Measurement Review. International Journal of Technology, 16(5), 1854–1876. https://doi.org/10.14716/ijtech.v16i5.7072
Ramaswamy, M., Viswanathan, R., Kaniyarkuzhi, B., & Neeliyadath, S. (2023). A re-engagement model to overcome the psychological distress of students. International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education, 12(4), 1973–1984. https://doi.org/10.11591/ijere.v12i4.24553
Santiago-Torner, C. (2023). Ethical leadership and creativity in employees with University education: The moderating effect of high intensity telework. Intangible Capital, 19(3), 393–414. https://doi.org/10.3926/IC.2238
Santiago-Torner, C., Tarrats-Pons, E., & Corral-Marfil, J. A. (2025). Effects of Intensity of Teleworking and Creative Demands on the Cynicism Dimension of Job Burnout. Employee Responsibilities and Rights Journal, 37(2), 201–223. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10672-023-09464-3
Sholahuddin, A. N. S. M. (2024). Pengaruh Beban Kerja Terhadap Kinerja Karyawan Dengan Kelelahan Emosional Sebagai Mediator Pada Perguruan Tinggi Islam Di Jawa Tengah Astri. Journal Syntax Idea, 5(1), 70–80.
Srimongkolkul, P., Boriraj, J., & Wongsansukcharoen, J. (2025). Effects of authentic leadership, employee resilience, job satisfaction, and innovative work behavior on employee work performance in transport and logistics of Thailand. Cogent Business and Management, 12(1).
https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2025.2511282
Verawati, L. (2024). the Influence of Job Stress Mediates Work-Family Conflict. Jurnal Manajemen Dayasaing, 26(2), 159–169.
Wajdi, G. F. (2023). Pengaruh Stres Kerja Dan Kepuasan Kerja Terhadap Turnover Intention Yang Dimediasi Oleh Komitmen Organisasi (Studi Kasus PT. Pos Indonesia Kantor Cabang Pekalongan). Jurnal Multidisiplin Indonesia, 2(8), 2168–2177. https://doi.org/10.58344/jmi.v2i8.427
Warda, N. A. B. K. (2023). Evaluating the Impact of Behavioral Stress on Employee Productivity and Innovation in the Higher Education Sector of Pakistan. Bulletin of Business and Economics, 53(1), 1–19.
http://publications.lib.chalmers.se/records/fulltext/245180/245180.pdf
Williamson, A. J., Gish, J. J., & Stephan, U. (2021). Let’s Focus on Solutions to Entrepreneurial Ill-Being! Recovery Interventions to Enhance Entrepreneurial Well-Being. Entrepreneurship: Theory and Practice, 45(6), 1307–1338. https://doi.org/10.1177/10422587211006431
Yassin, T. (2021). The Role of Empowering Leadership Style in Improving Employee Job Satisfaction in Government Organizations. Benefit: Jurnal Manajemen Dan Bisnis, 6(2), 97–110.
Zaman, D. K., Siddiquei, D. A. N., Badar, D. K., & Qureshi, M. A. R. (2024). The stress-inducing potential of inclusive leadership: Does resilience help? International Journal of Project Management, 42(7), 102650.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2024.102650
Published
2026-03-13
How to Cite
Utama, M., & Sholahuddin, M. (2026). MENTAL WORKLOAD, JOB STRESS, AND LEADERSHIP TRUST SHAPING EMPLOYEE CREATIVITY VIA PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS. Journal of Management : Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), 19(1), 819-840. https://doi.org/10.35508/jom.v19i1.27449
Section
Articles
