Italian Adaptation of the Ultra-Short Version of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-3)
Giulia Paganin, Gerardo Petruzziello
Work engagement is defined as a positive and fulfilling mental state characterized by vigor, dedication and absorption. Numerous studies have documented its association with relevant work-related outcomes, both positive (e.g., job satisfaction, performance) — and negative (e.g., burnout). In view of the association of work engagement with both positive and negative outcomes, it is particularly important to have an agile measurement instrument that can be used in different work contexts. The present study aims at analyzing the psychometric properties of the ultra-short version of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-3) in the Italian context. A convenience sample composed of 234 workers (58.10% women) participated in an online survey by filling in an anonymous questionnaire administered through the platform Qualtrics. The analyses revealed good internal reliability of the scale. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed its ability to discriminate against the two burnout dimensions considered (exhaustion and mental distance). In line with theoretical expectations, work engagement showed negative correlations with the burnout dimensions and positive correlations with job satisfaction and perceived performance. The UWES-3 confirms itself as a synthetic and effective tool for the evaluation of work engagement in the Italian context. Having valid and reliable tools for the measurement of work engagement is crucial for guiding interventions aimed at promoting organizational wellbeing.
Keywords
Work engagement, Validation, UWES-3, Organizational wellbeing, Job satisfaction, Performance, Burnout.
