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Experimental Research Paper | Human Resources | Volume 15 Issue 8, August 2026 | Pages: 809 - 813 | India
Addressing Employee Existential Emptiness: Efficacy of a Structured Organizational Intervention
Abstract: Existential emptiness, characterized by chronic apathy, socio-emotional alienation, and a perceived absence of intrinsic purpose in professional life, is a key driver of disengagement, quiet quitting, and voluntary attrition in knowledge economies. Traditional wellness initiatives target physiological stress but rarely address this ontological distress. This mixed-methods study (QUAN-qual) evaluated a structured, 8-week organizational intervention grounded in Viktor Frankl's logotherapy, combining purpose-aligned leadership training, job crafting, and reflective peer-coaching circles. A sample of 380 mid-to-senior corporate professionals across IT, professional services, and HR leadership in India completed pre- and post-intervention assessments using the Meaning in Life Questionnaire, Purpose in Life Test-Work Adaptation, Turnover Intention Scale, and Organizational Citizenship Behavior Scale, supplemented by thematic analysis of reflective journals (n = 60). Paired-sample t-tests revealed significant increases in presence of meaning (t(379) = 14.82, p < .001, d = 0.76) and work-specific purpose (t(379) = 16.45, p < .001, d = 0.84), alongside reductions in turnover intention (t(379) = -12.30, p < .001, d = 0.63) and increases in organizational citizenship behavior (t(379) = 8.91, p < .001, d = 0.46). Qualitative synthesis revealed a shift from transactional compliance toward purpose-integrated professional identity. Findings position existential well-being as a strategic human resource imperative.
Keywords: Existential Emptiness, Logotherapy, Meaningful Work, Job Crafting, Employee Retention
How to Cite?: Poornima Srinivasan, "Addressing Employee Existential Emptiness: Efficacy of a Structured Organizational Intervention", Volume 15 Issue 8, August 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 809-813, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26812050826, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26812050826