The Impact of Altruistic Behavior on Occupational Well-being Among Medical Professionals: The Mediating Role of Flow Experience

Objective This research was designed to explore the impact of altruistic behavior on occupational well-being among medical professionals and to analyze the mediating effect of flow experience between altruistic behavior and occupational well-being. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted from March to June 2025, collecting data from 430 medical professionals in Beijing, China, using convenience sampling. The analysis was carried out using the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) approach in SmartPLS 4.0 software. Results (1) altruistic behavior among medical professionals was positively correlated with both their flow experience and occupational well-being; (2) flow experience among medical professionals was positively correlated with their occupational well-being; (3) flow experience served as a mediator in the relationship between altruistic behavior and occupational well-being. Conclusion This study is the first to integrate the pathways connecting altruistic behavior, flow experience, and occupational well-being in the Chinese healthcare context. The findings indicate that medical professionals with altruistic tendencies are more likely to experience flow states, which in turn enhances their occupational well-being. These results offer valuable insights for improving the occupational well-being of healthcare workers and for refining human resource management practices in medical institutions.