Professional Stress: Theoretical Perspectives and the Romanian Post-Communist Context

This paper explores the evolution and impact of professional stress in Romania following the fall of communism in 1989, a period marked by intense socio-economic transformation. Drawing on foundational occupational stress models—such as the Job Demand-Control model, the Effort-Reward Imbalance model, and the Conservation of Resources theory—the study combines a theoretical overview with a case study focused on Romania’s unique transition context. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected through a structured survey of 300 Romanian professionals and semi-structured interviews with 15 participants across key sectors, including healthcare, education, IT, and public administration. The results reveal that job insecurity, organizational restructuring, migration pressures, and institutional corruption are persistent drivers of workplace stress. Additionally, findings suggest that although awareness of mental health has increased in Romania, access to support systems remains limited. The study contributes to the broader understanding of professional stress in post-socialist societies and highlights the need for culturally and contextually adapted interventions in managing occupational well-being.