Advancing Employees’ Mental Health and Psychological Well-being Research in Hospitality and Tourism: Systematic Review, Critical Reflections, and Future Prospects

Abstract

This study represents a systematic review and analysis of the research landscape concerning the mental health and psychological well-being (MHPW) of employees in the hospitality and tourism sector. Comprehensive bibliometric analysis, intellectual network mapping, and critical qualitative content analysis were performed utilizing a dataset of 184 relevant articles. From these analyses, eight critical reflections were derived, and a future research agenda was outlined. This agenda includes exploring positive enhancers of MHPW, advocating for holistic conceptualizations of MHPW, encouraging cross-cultural and interdisciplinary collaborations, assessing the impacts of technology on mental health, developing industry-specific assessments, diversifying research methodologies with multidisciplinary theories, conducting multi-level analyses of influencing factors, and investigating the pandemic’s long-term impact on career perceptions and mental health reforms within the industry. Findings offer pivotal directions for future research and aim to advance the understanding and enhancement of MHPW in the global hospitality and tourism workforce through impactful scholarship.