Abstract:
The socioeconomic crisis in Sri Lanka has intensified challenges within
organizations, placing unprecedented stress on individuals and influencing their
mindsets. In such a crisis environment, employees' attitudes toward work, ability
to adapt to change, and overall engagement are being researched. The problem
that needs investigation is how the socioeconomic crisis impacts individuals’
mindsets, particularly in an organizational context, and how this subsequently
affects their professional behavior, adaptability, and success. Are growth
mindsets more resilient to external pressures and more likely to result in better
job performance, engagement, and well-being? Do fixed mindsets become more
entrenched under crisis conditions, leading to stagnation or disengagement? This
study, therefore, examines the relationship between psychosocial factors such as
perceived risk, workload management, psychological support, physical safety,
and the mindset of healthcare professionals. The healthcare sector in Sri Lanka
has been severely impacted by the ongoing socio-economic crisis, which has
placed an immense burden on healthcare professionals. This crisis has not only
intensified stress and burnout but has also heightened disparities in how
individuals cope with challenges, revealing the crucial role that mindset plays in
professional resilience and adaptability. This study employs a quantitative
deductive method to focus on healthcare professionals in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka's
health sector employs over 155,000 workers, with women making up a
significant majority of the workforce, accounting for 64%, compared to 36% of
men. The sector is predominantly composed of individuals in the 25–34-year age
group. The sample includes doctors, nurses, medical assistants, and support staff,
with a final sample size of 110. Data were collected using systematic random
sampling techniques. Responses were 41% medical assistants, 35% nurses, and
24% doctors. This geographical diversity ensures that the study captures a wide
range of experiences and challenges faced by healthcare professionals across
different environments in Sri Lanka. Correlation and regression analysis of the
data revealed that workload management and psychological support
significantly impact mindset. In contrast, psychological factors such as perceived
risk and protection of physical safety showed an insignificant relationship with
the mindset of healthcare professionals during a socio-economic crisis. The study also further revealed differences between fixed and growth mindsets among the
participants, highlighting how these mindsets affect their responses to
challenges and support structures. The findings of this study suggest that these
have practical implications for managing health professionals, particularly in
times of socio-economic crisis. Since workload management and psychological
support are important factors affecting mindset, healthcare organizations should
prioritize these areas to foster a positive work environment. Implementing
effective workload management strategies and providing strong psychological
support can help foster a growth mindset among employees, leading to greater
resilience and engagement. Additionally, understanding perceived risk and the
limited impact of physical security protection can help managers focus resources
more effectively. Adapting interventions to address the specific needs of those
with fixed and growth mindsets may further improve health professionals'
overall well-being and performance.
