TITLE:
To What Extent Are Human Resource Officers in Malawi Equipped to Handle Psycho-Social Problems in the Workplace? Human Resource Officers’ Perspectives
AUTHORS:
John Kuyokwa, Bright Limani, Christina Chithila, George Kaudza Masina, Yotam Machila, Charles Chalimba
KEYWORDS:
Human Resource Officers, Malawi, Equipped, Handle, Psycho-Social Problems, Workplace, Perspectives
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.14 No.6,
June
17,
2026
ABSTRACT: The study aimed to explore to what extent Human Resource Officers in Malawi are equipped to handle psycho-social problems in the workplace. This study has helped to understand the potential and knowledge deficits among human resources officers in handling psycho-social problems in the workplace. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used whilst utilizing qualitative methods. 29 participants were involved in this study. The results show that there is need for HR officers to have the skills in psycho-social problem management. This study found that majority of participants have basic counselling skills, ability to identify psychosocial problems and can manage psychosocial problems. However, some participants said that they did not have basic counselling skills, ability to identify psychosocial problems and could not manage psychosocial problems among employees. Therefore, HR officers have to be equipped on how to handle psycho-social problems among employees at workplace.