Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Psychological wellbeing is important because of its direct bearing on psychological connectedness or work engagement. We set out to
determine levels of work engagement and to identify the psychological factors that predict it. METHODS: A total of 5,235 adults participated in a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based health survey in Malaysia. Work engagement was assessed with the 9-item Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9). Higher UWES mean scores indicate greater levels of work engagement.Psychological distress was assessed using the 6-item Kessler scale (K6; cutoff score ≥13, score range 0-24.Higher K6 scores indicate greater psychological distress.
A multiple linear regression was performed to determine predictors of work engagement. RESULTS: A female preponderance was observed (n=3,259, 62.3%).
Participant age ranged from 18 to 85 years (mean±SD:33.88±8.83). The mean work engagement score on the UWES-9 was 3.53 (SD±0.94). A total of 11 out of 18 variables on a multiple regression predicted work engagement, F(18, 4925) = 69.02, p<0.001, R2=0.201. Factors that predicted higher work engagement were age, marital status, education level, job type, job permanency, longer sleep length, lower psychological distress and no history of workplace bullying. DISCUSSION: Inadequate sleep, the presence of psychological distress and a history of work bullying were among key factors associated with poorer work engagement among Malaysian employees. All three are modifiable factors
which can be targeted to improve work engagement
determine levels of work engagement and to identify the psychological factors that predict it. METHODS: A total of 5,235 adults participated in a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based health survey in Malaysia. Work engagement was assessed with the 9-item Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9). Higher UWES mean scores indicate greater levels of work engagement.Psychological distress was assessed using the 6-item Kessler scale (K6; cutoff score ≥13, score range 0-24.Higher K6 scores indicate greater psychological distress.
A multiple linear regression was performed to determine predictors of work engagement. RESULTS: A female preponderance was observed (n=3,259, 62.3%).
Participant age ranged from 18 to 85 years (mean±SD:33.88±8.83). The mean work engagement score on the UWES-9 was 3.53 (SD±0.94). A total of 11 out of 18 variables on a multiple regression predicted work engagement, F(18, 4925) = 69.02, p<0.001, R2=0.201. Factors that predicted higher work engagement were age, marital status, education level, job type, job permanency, longer sleep length, lower psychological distress and no history of workplace bullying. DISCUSSION: Inadequate sleep, the presence of psychological distress and a history of work bullying were among key factors associated with poorer work engagement among Malaysian employees. All three are modifiable factors
which can be targeted to improve work engagement
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 51 |
Number of pages | 1 |
Journal | Medical Journal of Malaysia |
Volume | 74 |
Issue number | Suppl 2 |
Publication status | Published - Aug 2019 |
Externally published | Yes |
Event | Asia-Pacific Conference on Public Health 2019: Urbanisation Challenges for Health - Penang, Malaysia Duration: 22 Jul 2019 → 25 Jul 2019 Conference number: 6th |