The impact of stress, resilience, and mindfulness on burnout and job performance among fitness club managers in Iran

Burnout has become a critical issue in modern organizational settings, particularly in managerial positions that involve high levels of responsibility, interpersonal interaction, and constant decision-making. This study aims to examine the interrelationships among stress, resilience, mindfulness, burnout, and job performance among fitness club managers in Iran. Drawing on the Job Demands–Resources (JD-R) model, Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, and Psychological Capital (PsyCap) theory, the research investigates how psychological resources mitigate the adverse effects of occupational stress and enhance performance outcomes. Data were collected from 150 full-time fitness club managers across five major Iranian cities (Tehran, Tabriz, Isfahan, Mashhad, and Shiraz) using validated self-report questionnaires. The instruments measured stress (PSS), burnout (MBI), resilience (CD-RISC), mindfulness (MAAS), and job performance (PJPQ). Statistical analyses, including correlation and regression tests, were conducted to assess the hypothesized relationships. The findings revealed that stress is positively associated with burnout, while both resilience and mindfulness significantly reduce burnout and enhance job performance. Burnout, in turn, negatively affects job performance. These results confirm that psychological resources such as resilience and mindfulness play a vital role in protecting managers against stress-induced exhaustion and sustaining high performance levels. The study provides valuable theoretical and practical implications. It highlights the importance of developing resilience- and mindfulness-based training programs for managers in service-oriented industries, especially within the fitness sector of developing countries like Iran. Keywords: Burnout, Job Performance, Mindfulness, Resilience, Stress