Title: Job stress and performance of healthcare workers in Nigeria: mediating role of deviant behaviour

Authors: Anthony Chijioke Nwankwo; Emmanuel Kalu Agbaeze

Addresses: Department of Business Administration and Management, Federal Polytechnic Ngodo-Isuochi, Abia State, Nigeria ' University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract: The cost of job stress and deviant behaviour of healthcare professionals in healthcare institutions has attracted robust academic debate. In contributing to this debate, this study examines the direct and indirect effects of job stress on employee performance via deviant behaviour, which was captured in four hypotheses. This study tested these hypotheses using a sample of 180 nurses from selected tertiary health institutions in South-Eastern Nigeria. A cross-sectional research design was employed in this study. Employing partial least square structural equation modelling, the study found that while the effect of job stress on employee performance was not supported, this effect was established on deviant behaviour. The study also established the mediating role of deviant behaviour on the relationship between job stress and employee performance. Hence, policy prescriptions should focus on reducing stress for nurses for effective performance.

Keywords: job stress; deviant behaviour; employee performance; healthcare professionals and Nigeria.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWE.2026.154414

International Journal of Environment, Workplace and Employment, 2026 Vol.10 No.2, pp.134 - 153

Received: 10 Nov 2025
Accepted: 12 Feb 2026
Published online: 26 Jun 2026 *

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