The Effect of Work Stress on Employee Performance at the Regional Office of The Ministry of ATR/BPN in Lampung Province with Mental Health as a Mediating Variable

Employee performance in government institutions is a critical indicator of public service effectiveness. At the Regional Office of the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN) in Lampung Province, performance outcomes have shown fluctuating trends, particularly in the suboptimal resolution of agrarian conflicts. Within the context of a complex bureaucratic structure, high job demands can trigger work-related stress, which—if not properly managed—may undermine employees’ psychological stability and reduce their performance. Mental health plays a crucial role in sustaining employee effectiveness under such pressures. This study aims to examine the influence of work stress on employee performance and to evaluate the mediating role of mental health in that relationship. The research adopts a quantitative approach with an explanatory research design. The population includes all employees of the ATR/BPN Regional Office in Lampung Province, totaling 150 individuals, all of whom participated as respondents through a census method. Data were collected using a structured Likert-scale questionnaire and analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with AMOS. The results reveal that work stress has a significant negative impact on employee performance. Moreover, mental health statistically mediates the relationship between work stress and performance. These findings highlight the importance of effective stress management and mental health support as key organizational strategies to enhance performance, especially within the dynamic and high-pressure environment of public sector bureaucracy.