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

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Listed:
  • 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)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Laura Lorente & Núria Tordera & José María Peiró, 2018. "How Work Characteristics Are Related to European Workers’ Psychological Well-Being. A Comparison of Two Age Groups," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:1:p:127-:d:126790
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Oldham, Greg R. & Fried, Yitzhak, 2016. "Job design research and theory: Past, present and future," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 20-35.
    2. Topa, Gabriela & Moriano, Juan A. & Moreno, Ana, 2012. "Psychosocial determinants of financial planning for retirement among immigrants in Europe," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 33(3), pages 527-537.
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    Cited by:

    1. M. Esther García-Buades & José M. Peiró & María Isabel Montañez-Juan & Malgorzata W. Kozusznik & Silvia Ortiz-Bonnín, 2019. "Happy-Productive Teams and Work Units: A Systematic Review of the ‘Happy-Productive Worker Thesis’," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-39, December.
    2. Natalio Extremera & Sergio Mérida-López & Nicolás Sánchez-Álvarez & Cirenia Quintana-Orts, 2018. "How Does Emotional Intelligence Make One Feel Better at Work? The Mediational Role of Work Engagement," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-13, September.
    3. Juan A. Marin-Garcia & Tomas Bonavia & Josep-Maria Losilla, 2020. "Changes in the Association between European Workers’ Employment Conditions and Employee Well-Being in 2005, 2010 and 2015," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-22, February.
    4. Yoshihiko Akasaki & Takayuki Tabira & Michio Maruta & Hyuma Makizako & Masaaki Miyata & Gwanghee Han & Yuriko Ikeda & Atsushi Nakamura & Suguru Shimokihara & Yuma Hidaka & Taishiro Kamasaki & Takuro K, 2022. "Social Frailty and Meaningful Activities among Community-Dwelling Older Adults with Heart Disease," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-11, November.

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