Interpersonal Needs and Role Stress: Mediating Role of Role Clarity and Locus of Control Among Employees

Role Stress has been commonly associated with psychological strain and low job satisfaction in organizations. It occurs when employees are unclear about their expectations and demands of the role. It also affects team cohesion and employee morale while decreasing productivity. This study hypothesizes that meeting the interpersonal needs of the employees can reduce role stress and increase employees’ overall well-being. It can be facilitated by increasing role clarity and understanding the employees’ locus of control. This research examines the mediating effects of role clarity and locus of control in the relationship between role stress and interpersonal needs. The study uses data from a broad sample of employees from various organizations through a quantitative survey. The variables were assessed using selfadministered questionnaires, and the results were obtained. The data was subjected to correlation and mediation analysis. There was a significant association between role clarity, interpersonal needs, and role stress. Mediation analysis revealed that only role clarity mediated the relationship between role stress and interpersonal needs. The results highlight the significance of meeting interpersonal needs and increasing role clarity in organizations. Understanding role stress and mitigating it using leadership strategies can improve the well-being of employees.