Salud mental, capital psicológico y satisfacción laboral en trabajadores ecuatorianos en los cantones Balsas y Marcabelí de la provincia del Oro durante el año 2024-2025

Abstract

Abstract: The objective of this research was to determine the prevalence of mental health, psychological capital and job satisfaction in Ecuadorian workers in the cantons of Balsas and Marcabelí, El Oro province, during the period 2024-2025. A quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional design approach was used, applying validated instruments such as DASS-21, Psychological Capital Scale and the Job Satisfaction Test to a sample of 54 teachers. The results indicated that, although the absence of symptoms predominates in the mental health variables, anxiety showed higher levels of severity compared to stress and depression, with 14.81% of extremely severe anxiety. Regarding psychological capital, the dimensions of hope (36.93) and self-efficacy (35.8) reached the highest means. In job satisfaction, mean scores of 40.26 for intrinsic satisfaction and 45.76 for extrinsic satisfaction were recorded, reflecting a favorable overall satisfaction level. These findings highlight the need to implement prevention and intervention strategies in mental health, programs to strengthen psychological capital and policies that promote job satisfaction in the educational sector.