Relationship between nurses’ mood at work and work engagement: Work morale as a mediator

Abstract

AimTo determine the effect of nurses’ mood at work (positive and negative) on work engagement and whether work morale mediates this relationship.BackgroundNurses’ work engagement is a key research area, yet limited data regarding the relationship between nurses’ mood at work and work engagement are available. Therefore, how nurses’ positive or negative mood at work affects their work engagement remains unclear.MethodsThis study analyzed nurses from a medical center in Taipei City. A total of 279 completed questionnaires were returned. The data were analyzed using two‐stage structural equation modeling to test the hypothesized relationships.FindingsNurses’ positive mood had a significantly positive effect on work morale, whereas their negative mood had a significantly negative effect on work morale. Additionally, work morale played a mediating role in the relationship between mood at work and work engagement.ConclusionThe results revealed that nurses’ moods affected their work engagement and that this relationship was affected by work morale.Implications for nursing and health policyHealthcare institutions and hospitals could develop a positive work environment to help nurses maintain their good mood and reduce negative affectivity. They should also provide nurses with counseling services, offer morale‐boosting activities, and adopt an inspirational leadership style to maintain their work morale.