MENTAL WELLNESS AND PERFORMANCE OF EMPLOYEES IN CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSIONS IN KENYA
A CASE OF PARLIAMENTARY SERVICE COMMISSION
Abstract
Employee mental wellness is a key factor influencing productivity, efficiency, motivation, and organizational performance. In constitutional commissions such as the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) in Kenya, employees work under pressure caused by legislative deadlines, administrative demands, public accountability, and political influences. Although mental wellness is important, limited research has examined how it affects employee performance within the PSC. This study therefore assessed the effect of mental wellness on employee performance in constitutional commissions in Kenya, using the PSC as a case study. It focused on workplace stress management strategies, employee mental health support systems, and work-life balance policies. The study adopted a descriptive research design to provide a clear understanding of the relationship between mental wellness and employee performance. The target population consisted of 1,860 PSC employees, from which a sample of 278 respondents was selected using stratified random sampling. Data were collected through questionnaires administered to junior staff and interview guides used with senior management. A pilot study was conducted at the National Gender and Equality Commission, involving 28 respondents, to test the validity and reliability of the research instruments. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics through SPSS, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The study found that mental wellness significantly affects employee performance at the PSC. Workplace stress management strategies, mental health support systems, and work-life balance policies positively influenced employee productivity, motivation, and work efficiency. Mental health support systems had the strongest influence. The study recommends that the PSC strengthen stress management training, counselling services, workload management, employee assistance programs, and mental health awareness campaigns to create a supportive workplace where employees can seek psychological support without fear of stigma.
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