Project Workers' Mental Health in Focus : Understanding Stressors and Supportive Strategies in PBOs

Abstract: Background: Project-based organizations have become increasingly important in theory and practice. In these kinds of organizations core activities are performed by means of projects which offer advantages such as adaptability and flexibility. Yet, the project-based work context also bears risks for the mental health of the employees involved. Purpose: The research objective of this study is to enhance our holistic understanding of mental health promotion in project-based organizations from the perspective of individual project workers. The focus is on challenges that project workers face in their project-based work regarding mental health, how they cope with these challenges, and which organizational support mechanisms help them to cope with the challenges they face. Methodology: We chose a qualitative research approach with semi-structured interviews and participant observations. Ten project workers from different industries were interviewed. They worked in PBOs in Germany and Sweden. In addition, we talked to four mental health experts and participated in a workshop and three webinars on mental health at work. Findings: High and complex workload, difficulties in achieving work-life balance, and uncertainty regarding new projects were highlighted as main stressors. The project workers use individual coping strategies to deal with these challenges and they find themselves to be responsible for their mental health. Still, social and structural support mechanisms werefound to be crucial, since they serve as necessary preconditions to effectively make use of individual coping strategies.