Examining the role of psychological ownership on mental wellbeing and learning outcomes: assessing the roles of trust in the environment and emotional intelligence

Objective

Mental wellbeing is crucial to investigate, as (i) 13% (over 300 million people) of the world’s population suffers from mental health problems; (ii) costs associated with mental health issues will rise to US$16 trillion by 2030; (iii) the European economic recession (2008) caused severe mental distress among workers; and (iv) COVID-19 deteriorated the situation further. Mental wellbeing therefore, is recognized as an ‘urgent global public health priority’ and acknowledged as a ‘top priority and a long-term concern.’ Psychological ownership (PO—a feeling of possessiveness) enables workers to experience mental wellbeing, learning, and commitment to contribute more. In contrast, mental wellbeing (a global priority—UN’s sustainable goal no. 3) allows individuals to realize their abilities, cope with the stresses of life, work productively and fruitfully and make a contribution to their community (World Health Organization 2001). In addition, trust in the environment may serve vital role in the expression and impact of PO on the workers’ mental wellbeing. It, to a considerable extent, depends on perception and management of negative emotions, where emotional intelligence plays a vital role. Emotional intelligence strengthens the workers’ trust in the environment and their mental wellbeing bond. Thereafter, mental wellbeing is crucial for the workers’ cognitive, social, and self-growth learning outcomes. POTRUWELL will investigate the direct relationship of PO and workers’ mental wellbeing in Irish health sector. Further, trust in the environment is taken as a mediator between the direct relationship, and emotional intelligence is taken as a moderator between trust in the environment and mental wellbeing. Lastly, it will be assessed whether mental wellbeing is instrumental for workers’ learning outcomes. POTRUWELL will help the applicant to achieve leadership skills, project management, and communication skills to develop professional maturity and secure employability.