a b s t r a c tIntroduction. -Work engagement is a positive state of mind related to work, characterized by vigor, dedication, and absorption. It is measured through the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES), which has shown good psychometric properties across occupational types and languages. Besides, some individuals may more easily experience work engagement than others, suggesting that individual stable tendencies could predict this state of mind. Objectives. -In this article, we aim to: (1) present the psychometric properties of the French versions of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9 and UWES-17), and (2) assess whether work engagement can be associated with personality traits and impulsivity. Method. -For this purpose, 661 French-speaking workers (M age = 40.86, SD age = 12.35) were recruited in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. Two hundred and eleven subjects responded to the UWES-17, the Zuckerman-Kuhlman-Aluja Personality Questionnaire (ZKA-PQ) and the UPPS Impulsive Behaviour Scale (UPPS), and 450 subjects responded to the UWES-9 and the NEO-Five-Factor Inventory Revised (NEO-FFI-R).Results. -Results showed that UWES-9 reached better psychometric properties than UWES-17. Moreover, it appeared that individuals who were active, conscientious, emotionally stable, and extroverted were more prone to experience work engagement than others. Discussion. -Thus, the path to experiencing work engagement seems to differ as a function of personal stable characteristics. Further studies should analyse how personal characteristics interact with working conditions in determining work engagement.
This study investigated the psychometric properties of the Horizontal and Vertical Individualism and Collectivism Scale (HVIC) and the Auckland Individualism and Collectivism Scale (AICS). The sample consisted of 1,403 working individuals from Switzerland (N = 585) and from South Africa (N = 818). Principal component factor analyses indicated that a two-factor structure replicated well across the two countries for both scales. In addition,
Article
Health practitioners and decision makers in the medical and insurance systems need
knowledge on the work-relatedness of burnout. To gather the most reliable information
regarding burnout diagnosis and recognition in Europe, we used an 8-item standard
questionnaire sent by e-mail to occupational health specialists identified via the Network
on the Coordination and Harmonization of European Occupational Cohorts (OMEGA-NET) within
the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action. Participation rate was
100%, and the questionnaire was completed for 37 countries. In 14 (38%) countries burnout
syndrome can be acknowledged as an occupational disease. However, only one country
included burnout on the list of occupational diseases. The results showed a high
variability in burnout diagnosis, in assessment of its work-relatedness, and in conditions
allowing compensation of patients. These results reflect a lack of graded evidence on
burnout and its determinants. The ongoing research on burnout conducted in the frame of
the OMEGA-NET COST Action should be helpful through facilitating standardization of both
existing and new data on burnout, a priority outcome requiring harmonization.
Abstract. Among the various work stress models, one of the most popular has been the job demands-control (JDC) model developed by Karasek (1979), which postulates that work-related strain is highest under work conditions characterized by high demands and low autonomy. The absence of social support at work further increases negative outcomes. This model, however, does not apply equally to all individuals and to all cultures. This review demonstrates how various individual characteristics, especially some personality dimensions, influence the JDC model and could thus be considered buffering or moderator factors. Moreover, we review how the cultural context impacts this model as suggested by results obtained in European, American, and Asian contexts. Yet there are almost no data from Africa or South America. More crosscultural studies including populations from these continents would be valuable for a better understanding of the impact of the cultural context on the JDC model.
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