Examining the relationship between the psychological Well-Being of employees on digital labor platforms and their social and work life

Psychological well-being is an essential aspect of human life and organizations. Understanding employees' psychological well-being is crucial for identifying the dynamics influencing work behaviors, attitudes, productivity, quality of work life, and organizational sustainability. Examining the psychological well-being of employees working on digital labor platforms, which represent new forms of employment, holds significant importance in contributing to both theoretical and empirical studies. This research investigates the relationship between the psychological well-being levels of employees on digital labor platforms and its sub-dimensions—interpersonal harmony at work, ability to develop at work, sense of competence at work, perceived recognition at work, and desire to participate in decisions at work—and their life and job satisfaction. The research was conducted using a quantitative method, and data were collected through a survey. In the study, the Psychological Well-Being at Work scale, developed in the international literature, was adapted into Turkish and used. The sample consisted of 394 individuals residing in Turkey, aged 18 and above, who had worked on web-based platforms for at least six months. The collected data were analyzed using correlation and regression techniques. The findings indicate that psychological well-being at work and its sub-dimensions are positively associated with life and job satisfaction. According to multiple regression analyses, the sub-dimensions that most strongly influence life satisfaction are the ability to develop at work, sense of competence at work, and perceived recognition at work. In contrast, the sub-dimensions most strongly affecting job satisfaction are interpersonal harmony at work and perceived recognition at work. In conclusion, the findings align with those of previous studies conducted on different samples, highlighting the critical importance of employees' psychological well-being for work and social life. Additionally, the desire for recognition at work, viewed as a need for employees to have their efforts and achievements appreciated, is shown to play a pivotal role in enhancing both life and job satisfaction by making individuals feel valued and meaningful.