How Work Characteristics Are Related to European Workers’ Psychological Well-Being. A Comparison of Two Age Groups

Laura Lorente, Núria Tordera and José María Peiró
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Laura Lorente: IDOCAL, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
Núria Tordera: IDOCAL, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
José María Peiró: IVIE & IDOCAL, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain

IJERPH, 2018, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: This study aimed to analyze the mechanisms through which work characteristics are related to psychological well-being, exploring the mediational role of work meaningfulness and job satisfaction, and investigating differences in the patterns of relationships between two age groups. The sample was composed of 36,896 workers from the 5th European Working Conditions Survey. Structural equation modeling analyses and multiple group analyses were performed. The results revealed a parallel mediational model, in which work meaningfulness and general job satisfaction mediate the relationships between work characteristics and well-being. Additionally, job satisfaction partially mediates the relationship between meaningfulness and well-being. These results were confirmed in both age groups (under 55 years old and older workers), but age moderates the relationships between social support and the mediating variables and the relationships between the mediating variables and general well-being. The present study uncovers significant pathways through which time pressure, decision latitude, and social support are related to psychological well-being, depicting an important step in better understanding how and when work characteristics are related to positive outcomes. It provides important clues for promoting psychosocial health at work at the European level.

Keywords: work characteristics; experienced meaningfulness; job satisfaction; psychological well-being; age (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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