Work engagement mediates the relationship between work stressors and poor psychological well-being among Korean workers

Abstract

Introduction: This study of Korean workers investigated the role of work engagement as a mediator of the relationship between work stressors and psychological well-being. Methods: We performed a reanalysis of 2017 data that were recorded in the Fifth Korean Working Conditions Survey. We used structural equation modeling for mediation analysis. Results: The bootstrap test showed significant indirect effects between several work stressors and psychological well-being through work engagement that act as partial mediators. The proportion mediated by work engagement ranged from 20.6 to 66.7% for work stressors (long weekly working hours, lack of support from managers, lower degree of freedom at work, work pressure, lack of autonomy, lack of role clarity, organizational injustice, lack of influence at work, and lack of reward). Conclusion: Our structural equation modeling for mediation analysis indicated that work stressors decreased psychological well-being because of mediation by decreased work engagement. Thus, work engagement can be considered a health-related resource that may improve employees’ psychological well-being. We suggest that businesses should attempt to increase work engagement to improve the psychological well-being of their employees.