NAVIGATING STRESS IN HOSPITALITY: A THEMATIC ANALYSIS OF SELF-COPING MECHANISMS AMONG MALAYSIAN HOTEL EMPLOYEES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55197/qjssh.v6si3.1424Keywords:
hospitality, hotel industry, self-coping, mental health, employee well-beingAbstract
The hospitality industry is recognized as a high-stress environment, where employees frequently face emotional labor, demanding workloads, and constant guest interactions. With employees at the core of hospitality operation, understanding how they manage their well-being through effective coping strategies become a crucial concern. This study explores self-coping mechanisms among hotel employees in Malaysia. Using a qualitative approach, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 18 hotel employees from four-and five-star hotels in Malaysia. Thematic analysis was employed to identify themes and subthemes in self-coping mechanism. Four primary themes emerged: recreational activities, social system, time management, and emotional regulation. The findings suggest that these coping strategies not only enhance individual well-being but also contribute to organizational resilience, as employees maintain performance and adaptability in a demanding work environment. The study contributes theoretically by extending literature in hospitality human resources and practically by providing insights for human resources mental illness intervention strategies.
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