The mediating and moderating role of work engagement in self-compassion and mental well-being among private sector employees

As the private sector has become a key driver of Vietnam’s economic development, employees in this sector are facing increasing pressures related to performance demands, organizational change, and mental health challenges. This study examined whether work engagement was separately associated with the relationship between self-compassion and mental health problems as a mediator and as a moderator. Using a quantitative, cross-sectional design, data were collected from 291 Vietnamese private sector employees. Mediation and moderation were tested in separate regression-based models. The findings showed that both self-compassion and work engagement were negatively associated with mental health problems. Work engagement partially mediated the association between self-compassion and mental health problems. In the separate moderation models, work engagement moderated only the association between self-compassion and perceived stress, but not the associations between self-compassion and depression or anxiety. These findings provide valuable insights into the mental health of private sector employees and suggest potential directions for workplace interventions aimed at supporting employee well-being.