Psychosocial factors as predictors of mental health state: the mediating role of job satisfaction among offshore oil and gas employees in Malaysia

Mental health has become an increasing concern in high-risk work environments, particularly within the offshore oil and gas (O&G) industry, where employees are exposed to prolonged isolation, demanding work conditions, and operational hazards Despite this, empirical evidence on how psychosocial factors influence mental health in the Malaysian offshore context remains limited. This study addresses this gap by examining the relationship between psychosocial factors and mental health among offshore O&G employees, with job satisfaction considered as a mediating variable. Guided by the Job Demands–Resources (JD-R) model, a concurrent mixed-method approach was employed. Quantitative data were collected through a survey involving 364 offshore employees across several operational regions in Malaysia, while qualitative insights were obtained from 17 informants in managerial roles. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS and SmartPLS, while qualitative data were analysed using ATLAS.ti to provide contextual understanding of organisational practices. The findings indicate that psychosocial factors, namely job demands, job security, social support, and work environment, are significantly associated with mental health, although the relationships are generally modest. Among these factors, the work environment emerges as the most influential determinant, highlighting the importance of organisational structure, safety conditions, and support systems in shaping psychological well-being. Job satisfaction is found to have a direct positive relationship with mental health and also functions as a partial mediator between workplace factors and mental health outcomes. This suggests that while job satisfaction enhances employees’ ability to cope with work-related stress, it does not fully offset the impact of structural workplace conditions. The study further reveals that mental health provision within the offshore O&G industry remains uneven, with practices varying across organisations and often relying on awareness-based initiatives rather than structured and sustained systems. These findings extend the application of the Job Demands–Resources model by demonstrating the simultaneous influence of both environmental and psychological factors in high-risk work settings. Overall, this study provides a context-specific understanding of mental health in offshore environments and offers practical insights for organisations and policymakers to strengthen mental health management. It highlights the need for integrated approaches that combine improvements in workplace conditions with strategies that support employee wellbeing, contributing to more consistent and sustainable outcomes in the offshore O&G sector.