The Effect of Work Stress on Employee Performance: The Mediating Roles of Psychological Detachment and Counterproductive Work Behavior

Lutfi Bayu Indarto (State University of Surabaya, Indonesia)
Anang Kistyanto (State University of Surabaya, Indonesia)
Dewie Tri Wijayati Wardoyo (State University of Surabaya, Indonesia)

BALANCE: Economic, Business, Management and Accounting Journal
Vol 23 No 2 (2026): Juli

Employee performance is a critical factor in achieving organizational goals, particularly in manufacturing companies characterized by high job demands and work pressure. Previous studies have reported inconsistent findings regarding the relationship between work stress and employee performance, indicating the need to examine the underlying psychological and behavioral mechanisms. This study aims to analyze the effect of work stress on employee performance through psychological detachment and counterproductive work behavior among employees of PT One Machinery. A quantitative approach with a cross-sectional design was employed. Data were collected from 72 employees using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using Partial Least Squares–Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS 4.0. The results indicate that work stress significantly and positively affects psychological detachment and counterproductive work behavior. However, work stress does not have a significant direct effect on employee performance. Psychological detachment positively influences employee performance, whereas counterproductive work behavior negatively affects employee performance. Furthermore, both psychological detachment and counterproductive work behavior significantly mediate the relationship between work stress and employee performance. These findings highlight the importance of psychological recovery and behavioral management in maintaining employee performance under stressful working conditions