A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF SELF-ESTEEM, PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS AND BURNOUT AMONG BUSINESSMEN AND EMPLOYEES

Workplaces play a significant role in shaping psychological well-being, identity formation, emotional balance, and overall life satisfaction among working professionals. Occupational roles differ in demands, responsibilities, decision-making autonomy, and reward structures, all of which influence mental health outcomes. Understanding these differences is essential for developing preventive mental health programs, enhancing work-life balance, and improving job satisfaction. The present study examines variations in self-esteem, perceived stress, and burnout between businessmen and employees, two occupational groups that operate within distinctly different work environments.

Self-esteem refers to the individual’s overall sense of personal value and self-worth (Rosenberg, 1965). It is influenced by perceived competence, social recognition, and autonomy in decision- making. Business owners, often operating independently or in leadership roles, may experience enhanced role control and authority, which can contribute to higher levels of self-esteem. In contrast, employees generally function within structured organizational hierarchies, where performance evaluation, supervision, and job expectations are externally regulated. Such environments can lead to reduced autonomy and contribute to comparatively lower levels of self-esteem (Chaudhary & Sharma, 2023).