Psychological Capital and Employee Well-Being: Job Satisfaction, Organizational Commitment, and Burnout
Abstract
Purpose: The aim of this review study is to conceptually examine employee well-being within the framework of job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and burnout, and to evaluate the role of psychological capital (self-efficacy, hope, optimism, and resilience) in these processes. In today’s working life, increasing competition, uncertainty, and stress have made employees’ psychological resources as important as their physical resources. In this context, psychological capital is considered a strategic resource that supports individuals in coping with challenges encountered in working life.
Method: A narrative review design was employed. Searches were conducted in Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Scopus using the keywords “employee well-being,” “psychological capital,” “job satisfaction,” “organizational commitment,” and “burnout.” After screening, studies published between 1974 and 2025 were reviewed. Inclusion criteria were: peer-reviewed publication (article/book chapter), direct relevance to PsyCap and at least one outcome (job satisfaction, organizational commitment, burnout), and full-text access. Studies outside the scope, duplicate records, and non–full-text sources were excluded.
Results: The reviewed studies indicate that employees with higher levels of psychological capital tend to develop more positive work experiences. These positive experiences are associated with supportive effects on job satisfaction and organizational commitment, as well as a potential reducing effect on burnout. In particular, components such as hope, optimism, self-efficacy, and resilience are considered to enhance employees’ well-being by increasing their capacity to cope with stress.
Conclusion: Psychological capital emerges as a significant construct that should be taken into account at both individual and organizational levels in practices aimed at enhancing employee well-being. In this regard, organizations that structure employee support programs and human resources practices to foster psychological capital may contribute to strengthening job satisfaction and organizational commitment while reducing the risk of burnout.
Keywords
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Sports Activity Management
Journal Section
Review
Publication Date
May 27, 2026
Submission Date
January 26, 2026
Acceptance Date
March 6, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 9 Number: 2026