THE IMPACT OF PSYCHOLOGICAL CAPITAL ON WORK STRESS AND TURNOVER INTENTION IN THE HEALTH SECTOR

Work stress, one of the prevalent problems of modern times, has significant psychological consequences for individuals. Positive psychology offers tools to strengthen employees’ ability to cope with stressors. This study investigates the relationships between positive psychological capital (Psycap), work stress, and turnover intention among healthcare workers. Data were collected from 340 employees of public hospitals in Türkiye. Findings indicate that employees exhibit high levels of Psycap, alongside critically high stress levels and low turnover intentions. Correlation analysis revealed inverse relationships between Psycap, stress and turnover intention. Structural equation modeling further demonstrated that higher Psycap reduces both stress and turnover intention. Moreover, significant differences were observed in Psycap, stress and turnover levels across demographic groups. The results emphasize the importance of strengthening psycap to reduce stress and improve well-being. Organizations should adopt positive management practices to cultivate supportive environments, thereby enhancing employee satisfaction and reducing turnover risks.