Nariman Elewa
Nariman Elewa is an Organizational Psychologist and Leadership Coach at INSPIRE COE, specializing in workplace wellbeing, cultural alignment, and talent management. With over 250+ hours of coaching experience across different organizational levels, Nariman has helped leaders navigate cultural complexities and optimize team performance. As a graduate research assistant, she is currently conducting a landscape analysis on mental health and organizational wellbeing in the UAE, with a focus on domestic workers’ mental health.
A Developing Research Agenda on Workplace Wellbeing in the UAE
Workplace wellbeing has become an increasing priority in the UAE, yet research on mental health in organizational settings remains fragmented across industries. This study presents a developing research agenda on workplace mental health, with an initial focus on an exploratory scoping review of existing literature. Using Google Scholar, relevant references were identified, which were then refined by excluding studies primarily focused on frontline workers, particularly post COVID, as these dominated existing research. The scoping review revealed key themes shaping the landscape of workplace wellbeing in the UAE.
Stigma remains a major barrier, preventing employees from seeking psychological support due to cultural misconceptions and societal norms (Andrade et al., 2022). Traditional family values reinforce these attitudes, and workplace mental health awareness programs remain limited (Haak-Saheem et al., 2022). Burnout is a significant concern, particularly in high pressure industries such as healthcare, where stress levels surpass those in corporate settings. Work related mental health concerns, including anxiety and exhaustion, persist across sectors, yet organizational support structures remain inadequate.
Despite these challenges, corporate awareness of mental health as a driver of employee retention and productivity is growing (McKinsey & Company, 2023). Government initiatives, such as the UAE National Wellbeing Strategy 2031, signal progress, with organizations beginning to adopt AI and digital solutions for mental health support (Moonesar et al., 2024). However, mental health regulations remain inconsistent across industries (Al Suwaidi, 2019), with outdated policies and a shortage of mental health professionals per capita.
This research contributes to a broader understanding of workplace wellbeing in the UAE, identifying critical gaps in policy, organizational support, and cultural attitudes to inform future studies and policy recommendations. Addressing these gaps through targeted interventions and evidence based strategies will be essential for fostering a more inclusive and psychologically supportive work environment.
References
Al Suwaidi, E. Y. (2019). An Evaluation on the Factors Influencing Happiness at Working Environment in UAE Government Entities: A Literature Review. Open Journal of Business and Management, 7, 1460-1470.
Andrade, G., Bedewy, D., Elamin, A., Abdelmonem, K., Teir, H., & Alqaderi, N. (2022). Attitudes Towards Mental Health Problems in a Sample of United Arab Emirates’ Residents. Middle East Current Psychiatry, 29(88).
Haak-Saheem, W., Liang, X., Holland, P. J., & Brewster, C. (2022). A Family Oriented View on Wellbeing Amongst Low Status Expatriates in an International Workplace. Employee Relations, 44(5).
McKinsey & Company. (2023). Improving employee health in the Middle East | McKinsey. Www.mckinsey.com. https://www.mckinsey.com/mhi/our-insights/better-health-among-middle-eastern-employees-can-start-with-awareness#/
Moonesar, I., Alsayegh, K., Berryman, E., Lambert, L., Berezhnova, I., & Furness, R. (2024). A Policy Roadmap for Prioritizing Mental Health and Wellbeing in the Workplace. Middle East Journal of Positive Psychology, 10.