International Journal of

ADVANCED AND APPLIED SCIENCES

EISSN: 2313-3724, Print ISSN: 2313-626X

Frequency: 12

line decor
  
line decor

 Volume 13, Issue 5 (May 2026), Pages: 89-95

----------------------------------------------

 Original Research Paper

Predicting the psychological well-being of B40 working mothers: Contribution of resilience, job satisfaction, and perceived stress

 Author(s): 

Hazalizah Hamzah 1, *, Anissa Lestari Kadiyono 2, Ibrahim Zamhuri 1, Nur Athirah Syamimi Daharun 1, Fatanah Ramlee 1, Roslinda Mustapha 1, Asma Perveen 3

 Affiliation(s):

1Faculty of Human Development, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Tanjong Malim, Malaysia
2Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang, Indonesia
3School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Malaysia

 Full text

    Full Text - PDF

 * Corresponding Author. 

   Corresponding author's ORCID profile:  https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1542-3001

 Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

 
https://doi.org/10.21833/ijaas.2026.05.009

 Abstract

Working mothers in Malaysia from the B40 income group face many life challenges that can negatively affect their psychological well-being. This study examined the roles of resilience, job satisfaction, and perceived stress in predicting psychological well-being among this vulnerable population. A cross-sectional design with purposive sampling was used. A total of 137 B40 working mothers (monthly income ≤ RM5250) completed an online survey using the Ryff Psychological Well-Being Scale, Adult Personal Resilience Scale, Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire, and Perceived Stress Scale. Data were analyzed using stepwise multiple linear regression. The participants had a mean age of 37.90 years (SD = 9.46), were married, employed, and had at least one child. The results showed that job satisfaction, perceived stress, and resilience together explained 63.2% of the variance in psychological well-being, F(3, 133) = 76.07, p < 0.001, R² = 0.632, adjusted R² = 0.623, with job satisfaction being the strongest predictor. These findings suggest that policymakers and employers should develop targeted stress management and resilience-building programs to improve the well-being and productivity of B40 working mothers.

 © 2026 The Authors. Published by IASE.

 This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

 Keywords

Psychological well-being, Working mothers, Job satisfaction, Perceived stress, Resilience

 Article history

Received 14 August 2025, Received in revised form 28 January 2026, Accepted 7 May 2026

 Acknowledgment

This research is funded by Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris through the Matching Grant Scheme [2023-0056-107-01]. It is also funded by Universitas Padjajaran Indonesia. The researchers wish to show appreciation to the Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris and Universitas Padjajaran Indonesia for their contributions to the publication of this article. 

 Compliance with ethical standards

 Ethical considerations

This study received ethical approval from the Human Research Ethics Committee of Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (Approval No. 2024-0471-01). Participation was voluntary, and informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to data collection. Participants were assured that their responses would remain anonymous and confidential, and they could withdraw from the study at any time without penalty. 

 Conflict of interest: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

 Citation:

Hamzah H, Kadiyono AL, Zamhuri I, Daharun NAS, Ramlee F, Mustapha R, and Perveen A (2026). Predicting the psychological well-being of B40 working mothers: Contribution of resilience, job satisfaction, and perceived stress. International Journal of Advanced and Applied Sciences, 13(5): 89-95

  Permanent Link to this page

---------------------------------------------- 

 References (39)

  1. Abdullah Salim AS, Md Yatim N, and Abu Said AM (2024). The relationship between sociodemographic attributes and financial well-being of low-income urban families amid the COVID-19 pandemic: A case study of Malaysia. Journal of Risk and Financial Management, 17(12): 544. https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm17120544   [Google Scholar]
  2. Akram MF (2020). Relationship of work-family conflict with job demands, social support and psychological well-being of university female teachers in Punjab. Bulletin of Education and Research, 42(1): 45-66.   [Google Scholar]
  3. Azmi ENA, Ma’rof AA, and Hamsan HH (2024). The relationship between workload, social support, work motivation, and emotional stress among working mothers in Malaysian public hospitals. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 14(12): 1037–1049. https://doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v14-i12/24043   [Google Scholar]
  4. Binti Alias NS, Hashim IHM, and Haizzan M (2022). Psychological well-being of working women in Malaysia: Married or single is better? International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 12(1): 2501–2511. https://doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v12-i1/12239   [Google Scholar]
  5. Bolliger L, Lukan J, Colman E, Boersma L, Luštrek M, De Bacquer D, and Clays E (2022). Sources of occupational stress among office workers—a focus group study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(3): 1075. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031075   [Google Scholar] PMid:35162099 PMCid:PMC8834191
  6. Faul F, Erdfelder E, Lang AG, and Buchner A (2007). G*Power 3: A flexible statistical power analysis program for the social, behavioral, and biomedical sciences. Behavior Research Methods, 39(2): 175-191. https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03193146   [Google Scholar] PMid:17695343
  7. Hasan AA and ALsulami A (2024). Perceived psychological status among family caregivers of an autistic child: the role of coping strategies and self-esteem as predictors. Mental Health and Social Inclusion, 28(5): 792-802. https://doi.org/10.1108/MHSI-08-2023-0081   [Google Scholar]
  8. Kapoor V, Yadav J, Bajpai L, and Srivastava S (2021). Perceived stress and psychological well-being of working mothers during COVID-19: A mediated moderated roles of teleworking and resilience. Employee Relations: The International Journal, 43(6): 1290-1309. https://doi.org/10.1108/ER-05-2020-0244   [Google Scholar]
  9. Kêdoté NM, Sopoh GE, Tobada SB, Darboux AJ, Fonton P, Sanon Lompo MS, and Fobil J (2022). Perceived stress at work and associated factors among E-waste workers in French-speaking West Africa. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(2): 851. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19020851   [Google Scholar] PMid:35055673 PMCid:PMC8775860
  10. Kim HK (2022). In the COVID-19 era, effects of job stress, coping strategies, meaning in life and resilience on psychological well-being of women workers in the service sector. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(16): 9824. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19169824   [Google Scholar] PMid:36011460 PMCid:PMC9408044
  11. Klainin-Yobas P, Vongsirimas N, Ramirez DQ, Sarmiento J, and Fernandez Z (2021). Evaluating the relationships among stress, resilience and psychological well-being among young adults: A structural equation modelling approach. BMC Nursing, 20: 119. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-021-00645-9   [Google Scholar] PMid:34225712 PMCid:PMC8256556
  12. Kuo TS, Raj A, Sahoo D, Anand S, and Sharma K (2025). Improving workplace well-being through stress management and health promotion: A systematic literature review. Journal of Information Systems Engineering & Management, 10(2s): 469-479. https://doi.org/10.52783/jisem.v10i2s.4745   [Google Scholar]
  13. Laird NM (2022). Statistical analysis of longitudinal studies. International Statistical Review, 90: S2-S16. https://doi.org/10.1111/insr.12523   [Google Scholar]
  14. Marzo RR, ElSherif M, Abdullah MS, Thew HZ, Chong C, Soh SY, Siau CS, Chauhan S, and Lin Y (2022). Demographic and work-related factors associated with burnout, resilience, and quality of life among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross sectional study from Malaysia. Frontiers in Public Health, 10: 1021495. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.1021495   [Google Scholar] PMid:36589987 PMCid:PMC9800419
  15. Mensah A (2021). Job stress and mental well-being among working men and women in Europe: The mediating role of social support. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(5): 2494. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18052494   [Google Scholar] PMid:33802439 PMCid:PMC7967617
  16. Micklitz K, Wong G, and Howick J (2021). Mindfulness-based programmes to reduce stress and enhance well-being at work: A realist review. BMJ Open, 11(3): e043525. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-043525   [Google Scholar] PMid:33741667 PMCid:PMC7986896
  17. Ndero PK, Kimamo C, and Mwaura L (2024). Psychological well being and job satisfaction of Kenyan police officers. International Journal of Psychology, 9(1): 6–21. https://doi.org/10.47604/ijp.2286   [Google Scholar]
  18. Norizan NS, Arham AF, and Arham AF (2023). How much stress is too much? ODL implications on working mothers. European Proceedings of Finance and Economics, European Publisher: 720-731. https://doi.org/10.15405/epfe.23081.65   [Google Scholar]
  19. Nurhasanah N, Pratama YAS, and Nurmaisyah I (2023). The effect of job satisfaction, work-life balance and psychological well-being on employee performance at PT. JAS. Applied Quantitative Analysis, 2(2): 1-13. https://doi.org/10.31098/quant.944   [Google Scholar]
  20. Purwanto A, Purba JT, Bernarto I, and Sijabat R (2021). Effect of transformational leadership, job satisfaction, and organizational commitments on organizational citizenship behavior. Inovbiz: Jurnal Inovasi Bisnis, 9: 61-69. https://doi.org/10.35314/inovbiz.v9i1.1801   [Google Scholar]
  21. Ryff C, Almeida DM, Ayanian JS, Carr DS, Cleary PD, Coe C, Davidson R, Krueger RF, Lachman ME, Marks NF, and Mroczek DK (2007). National survey of midlife development in the United States (MIDUS II), 2004-2006. Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research, Ann Arbor, USA. https://doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR04652.v6   [Google Scholar]
  22. Ryff CD (1989). Happiness is everything, or is it? Explorations on the meaning of psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 57(6): 1069-1081. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.57.6.1069   [Google Scholar] PMCid:PMC11868675
  23. Ryff CD and Keyes CLM (1995). The structure of psychological well-being revisited. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 69(4): 719-727. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.69.4.719   [Google Scholar] PMid:7473027
  24. Saha M (2022). Impact of motherhood on the mental health of working women. International Journal of Indian Psychology, 10(3): 1174-1181.   [Google Scholar]
  25. Said Ramdan A, Ahmed Abd Elatif S, Mahmoud Zaki M, and Ahmed Mostafa H (2021). Effect of mothers' work on psychological well-being of their children at Benha city. Journal of Nursing Science Benha University, 2(2): 708-721. https://doi.org/10.21608/jnsbu.2021.194619   [Google Scholar]
  26. Sandhu SS, Ismail NH, and Rampal KG (2015). The Malay version of the perceived stress scale (PSS)-10 is a reliable and valid measure for stress among nurses in Malaysia. The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences: MJMS, 22(6): 26-31.   [Google Scholar]
  27. Sayed T, Malan H, and Fourie E (2024). Exploring the associations between resilience and psychological well-being among South Africans during COVID-19. Frontiers in Psychology, 15: 1323466. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1323466   [Google Scholar] PMid:38414871 PMCid:PMC10898365
  28. Sekhar C and Patwardhan M (2023). Flexible working arrangement and job performance: The mediating role of supervisor support. International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, 72(5): 1221-1238. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPPM-07-2020-0396   [Google Scholar]
  29. Taormina RJ (2015). Adult personal resilience: A new theory, new measure, and practical implications. Psychological Thought, 8(1): 35-46. https://doi.org/10.5964/psyct.v8i1.126   [Google Scholar]
  30. Thifal GR and Kusumaningrum FA (2021). Work-life balance and job satisfaction among worker women. In the BIS-HSS 2020: Proceedings of the 2nd Borobudur International Symposium on Humanities and Social Sciences, BIS-HSS 2020, European Alliance for Innovation, Magelang, Indonesia. https://doi.org/10.4108/eai.18-11-2020.2311757   [Google Scholar]
  31. Uddin M (2020). The role of family social support on work stress for frontline working mothers in Bangladesh. Studies in Business and Economics, 23(1): 38-60. https://doi.org/10.29117/sbe.2020.0120   [Google Scholar]
  32. Uysal Irak D, Bozkurt F, and Kurşun İB (2022). Personality and resilience: Enhancing well-being and reducing negative emotions among working mothers. Journal of Workplace Behavioral Health, 37(4): 267-285. https://doi.org/10.1080/15555240.2022.2114910   [Google Scholar]
  33. VandenBos GR (2007). APA dictionary of psychology. American Psychological Association, Washington, D.C., USA.   [Google Scholar]
  34. Wan Othman WN, Wan Jaafar WM, Zainudin ZN, and Yusop YM (2024). Resilience and psychological well-being among career women. Health Education and Health Promotion, 12(2): 261-271.   [Google Scholar]
  35. Weiss DJ, Dawis RV, and England GW (1967). Manual for the Minnesota satisfaction questionnaire. Minnesota Studies in Vocational Rehabilitation, 22: 120. https://doi.org/10.1037/t05540-000   [Google Scholar]
  36. Whitaker L, Cameron C, Hauari H, Hollingworth K, and O'Brien M (2021). What family circumstances, during COVID-19, impact on parental mental health in an inner city community in London? Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12: 725823. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.725823PMid:34975559 PMCid:PMC8716836   [Google Scholar]
  37. Wong EL, Qiu H, Chien WT, Wong CL, Chalise HN, Hoang HT, Nguyen HT, Wang SF, Lee JT, Chen YN, and Chan PK (2022). Comparison of resilience among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemics: A multinational cross-sectional survey in Southeast Asian jurisdictions. International Journal of Public Health, 67: 1605505. https://doi.org/10.3389/ijph.2022.1605505   [Google Scholar] PMid:36618431 PMCid:PMC9811508
  38. Yadav V, Yadav N, and Sharma S (2023). The relationship between perceived stress and psychological well-being among working women and housewives. International Journal of Indian Psychology, 11(2): 419-427.   [Google Scholar]
  39. Zakaria SM, Abdullah N, Md. Akhir N, Amin AS, Mohd Shukry ANA, Abdul Rashid MR, and Wan Yusof WN (2022). Perceptions of quality of life during the pandemic: A case study on B40 single mothers. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(19): 12219. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912219PMid:36231521 PMCid:PMC9566230   [Google Scholar]