Mindfulness Practice and Job Performance in Social Workers: Mediation Effect of Work Engagement
Abstract
:1. Introduction
1.1. Work Engagement and Job Performance
1.2. Mindfulness and Mindfulness Practice
2. Conceptual Framework and Hypothesis
3. Methods
3.1. Data
3.2. Measures
3.3. Analytical Approach
4. Results
5. Discussion
6. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
Appendix A
Job Performance |
Task Performance |
1. Achieves the objectives of the job |
2. Meet criteria for performance |
3. Demonstrates expertise in all job-related tasks |
4. Fulfills all the requirements of the job |
5. Could manage more responsibility than typically assigned |
6. Appears suitable for a higher-level role |
7. Is competent in all areas of the job, handles tasks with proficiency |
8. Performs well in the overall job by carrying out tasks as expected |
9. Plans and organizes to achieve objectives of the jobs and meet deadlines |
Contextual performance |
1. Helps other employees with their work when they have been absent |
2. Volunteers to do things not formally required by the job |
3. Takes initiative to orient new employees to the department even though not part of his/her job description |
4. Helps others when their workload increases |
5. Assists others with their duties |
6. Makes innovative suggestions to improve the overall quality of the department |
7. Willingly attends functions not required by the organization, but helps in its overall image |
Work Engagement |
1. At my work, I feel bursting with energy |
2. At my job, I feel strong and vigorous |
3. When I get up in the morning, I feel like going to work |
4. I am enthusiastic about my job |
5. My job inspires me |
6. I am proud on the work that I do |
7. I feel happy when I am working intensely |
8. I am immersed in my work |
9. I get carried away when I am working |
Job Demands |
1. Do you have too much work to do? |
2. Do you have to work extra hard in order to complete something? |
3. Do you have to hurry? |
4. Would you prefer a calmer work pace? |
5. Does your work demand a lot from you emotionally? |
6. In your work, do you have to be able to convince or persuade people? |
7. Are you confronted with things that affect you personally in your work? |
8. Does your work put you in emotionally upsetting situations? |
9. Have the proposed changes in your tasks been introduced well? |
10. Do you find it difficult to adapt to changes in your tasks? |
11. Do the changes in your tasks cause you problems? |
12. Do the changes in your tasks have negative consequences for you? |
References
- Tang, X.; Li, X. Role stress, burnout, and workplace support among newly recruited social workers. Res. Soc. Work. Pract. 2021, 31, 529–540. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Li, Y.; Han, W.-J.; Huang, C.-C. Development of social work education in China: Background, current status and prospect. J. Soc. Work. Educ. 2012, 48, 635–653. [Google Scholar]
- Chan, C.L.W.; Leung, J.C.B.; Min, J.; Xu, Y.X. China: From Ideological Focused Education to Professional Social Work Education. In The Palgrave Handbook of Global Social Work Education; Sajid, S.M., Baikady, R., Sheng-Li, C., Sakaguchi, H., Eds.; Palgrave Macmillan: Cham, Switzerland, 2020; pp. 61–77. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Ministry of Civil Affairs. Achievements in the Development of Civil Affairs during the “Thirteenth Five-Year Plan” Period. Ministry of Civil Affairs, People’s Republic of China. 2021. Available online: http://www.mca.gov.cn/article/gk/tjtb/202102/20210200032144.shtml (accessed on 5 April 2022). (In Chinese)
- Mor Barak, M.E.; Nissly, J.A.; Levin, A. Antecedents to retention and turnover among child welfare, social work, and other human service employees: What can we learn from past research? A review and metanalysis. Soc. Serv. Rev. 2001, 75, 625–661. [Google Scholar]
- Kim, H.; Stoner, M. Burnout and turnover intention among social workers: Effects of role stress, job autonomy and social support. Adm. Soc. Work 2008, 32, 5–25. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Lizano, E.L. Examining the Impact of Job Burnout on the Health and Well-Being of Human Service Workers: A Systematic Review and Synthesis. Hum. Serv. Organ. Manag. Leadersh. Gov. 2015, 39, 167–181. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Sánchez-Moreno, E.; de La Fuente Roldán, I.N.; Gallardo-Peralta, L.P.; de Roda, A.B.L. Burnout, informal social support and psychological distress among social workers. Br. J. Soc. Work 2015, 45, 2368–2386. [Google Scholar]
- Hussein, S. Work Engagement, Burnout and Personal Accomplishments Among Social Workers: A Comparison Between Those Working in Children and Adults’ Services in England. Adm. Policy Ment. Health 2018, 45, 911–923. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Jiang, H.; Wang, Y.; Chui, E.; Xu, Y. Professional identity and turnover intentions of social workers in Beijing, China: The roles of job satisfaction and agency type. Int. Soc. Work 2019, 62, 146–160. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Luo, M.; Lei, J. Using the JD-R Model to Predict the Organizational Outcomes of Social Workers in Guangzhou, China. J. Soc. Soc. Work. Res. 2021, 12, 349–369. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Huang, C.; Xie, X.; Cheung, S.P.; Zhou, Y.; Ying, G. Job Demands, Resources, and Burnout in Social Workers in China: Mediation Effect of Mindfulness. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 10526. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Zhang, H.; Zhu, X.; Yu, X. Impact of Stress on Job Engagement among Social Workers in Beijing: The Roles of Positive Emotion and Career Resilience. Br. J. Soc. Work 2022, 52, 1149–1167. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Demerouti, E.; Bakker, A.B.; Leiter, M. Burnout and job performance: The moderating role of selection, optimization, and compensation strategies. J. Occup. Health Psychol. 2014, 19, 96. [Google Scholar] [PubMed] [Green Version]
- Travis, D.J.; Lizano, E.L.; Mor Barak, M.E. ‘I’m so stressed!’: A longitudinal model of stress, burnout and engagement among social workers in child welfare settings. Br. J. Soc. Work 2015, 46, 1076–1095. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Schaufeli, W.B.; Bakker, A.B.; van Rhenen, W. How changes in job demands and resources predict burnout, work engagement, and sickness absenteeism. J. Organ. Behav. 2009, 30, 893–917. [Google Scholar]
- Bakker, A.B.; Demerouti, E. Job demands-resources theory: Taking stock and looking forward. J. Occup. Health Psychol. 2017, 22, 273–285. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Borman, W.C.; Motowidlo, S.J. Expanding the criterion domain to include elements of contextual performance. In Personnel Selection in Organizations; Schmitt, N., Borman, W.C., Eds.; Jossey-Bass: San Francisco, CA, USA, 1993; p. 71. [Google Scholar]
- Koopmans, L.; Bernaards, C.M.; Hildebrandt, V.H.; Schaufeli, W.B.; De Vet, H.C.W.; Van der Beek, A.J. Conceptual frameworks of individual work performance—A systematic review. J. Occup. Environ. Med. 2011, 53, 856–866. [Google Scholar]
- Fogaça, N.; Rêgo, M.C.B.; Melo, M.C.C.; Armond, L.P. Job Performance Analysis: Scientific Studies in the Main Journals of Management and Psychology from 2006 to 2015. Perform. Improv. Q. 2018, 30, 231–247. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Meyers, C.M.; Kooij, D.; Kroon, B.; de Reuver, R.; van Woerkom, M. Organizational support for strengths use, work engagement, and contextual performance: The moderating role of age. Appl. Res. Qual. Life 2020, 15, 485–502. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Schumacher, D.; Schreurs, B.; De Cuyper, N.; Grosemans, I. The ups and downs of felt job insecurity and job performance: The moderating role of informational justice. Work Stress 2021, 35, 171–192. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Halbesleben, J.R.B.; Wheeler, A.R. The relative role of engagement and embeddedness in predicting job performance and turnover intention. Work Stress 2008, 22, 242–256. [Google Scholar]
- Demerouti, E.; Cropanzano, R. From thought to action: Employee work engagement and job performance. In Work Engagement: A Handbook of Essential Theory and Research; Bakker, A.B., Leiter, M.P., Eds.; Psychology Press: New York, NY, USA, 2010; pp. 147–163. [Google Scholar]
- Hu, X.; Zhao, R.; Gao, J.; Li, J.; Yan, P.; Yan, X.; Shao, S.; Su, J.; Li, X. Relationship Between Proactive Personality and Job Performance of Chinese Nurses: The Mediating Role of Competency and Work Engagement. Front. Psychol. 2021, 12, 533293. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Song, Z.; Pan, B.; Wang, Y. Can Trait Mindfulness Improve Job Satisfaction? The Relationship Between Trait Mindfulness and Job Satisfaction of Preschool Teachers: The Sequential Mediating Effect of Basic Psychological Needs and Positive Emotions. Front. Psychol. 2021, 12, 788035. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Hanh, T.N. The Miracle of Mindfulness: A Manual for Meditation; Beacon: Boston, MA, USA, 1976. [Google Scholar]
- Kabat-Zinn, J. Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Mind and Body to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness; Delacorte: New York, NY, USA, 1990. [Google Scholar]
- Schonert-Reichl, K.A.; Lawlor, M.S. The effects of a mindfulness-based education program on pre- and early adolescents’ well-being and social and emotional competence. Mindfulness 2010, 1, 137–151. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Roeser, R.W.; Schonert-Reichl, K.A.; Jha, A.; Cullen, M.; Wallace, L.; Wilensky, R.; Oberle, E.; Thomson, K.; Taylor, C.; Harrison, J. Mindfulness training and reductions in teacher stress and burnout: Results from two randomized, waitlist-control field trials. J. Educ. Psychol. 2013, 105, 787–804. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Taylor, N.Z.; Millear, P.M.R. The contribution of mindfulness to predicting burnout in the workplace. Personal. Individ. Differ. 2016, 89, 123–128. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Grover, S.L.; Teo, S.T.T.; Pick, D.; Roche, M. Mindfulness as a personal resource to reduce work stress in the job demands-resources model. Stress Health 2017, 33, 426–436. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Deng, G.; Huang, C.-C.; Cheung, S.; Zhu, S. Job Demands and Resources and Employee Well-Being in the Chinese Nonprofit Sector. Front. Psychol. 2021, 12, 780718. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Leroy, H.; Anseel, F.; Dimitrova, N.G.; Sels, L. Mindfulness, authentic functioning, and work engagement: A growth modeling approach. J. Vocat. Behav. 2013, 82, 238–247. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Coo, C.; Salanova, M. Mindfulness Can Make You Happy-and-Productive: A Mindfulness Controlled Trial and Its Effects on Happiness, Work Engagement and Performance. J. Happiness Stud. 2018, 19, 1691–1711. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Lin, L.; He, G.; Yan, J.; Gu, C.; Xie, J. The effects of a modified mindfulness-based stress reduction program for nurses: A randomized controlled trial. Workplace Health Saf. 2019, 67, 111–122. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Dust, S.B.; Liu, H.; Wang, S.; Reina, C.S. The effect of mindfulness and job demands on motivation and performance trajectories across the workweek: An entrainment theory perspective. J. Appl. Psychol. 2022, 107, 221–239. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Dane, E.; Brummel, B.J. Examining workplace mindfulness and its relations to job performance and turnover intention. Hum. Relat. 2014, 67, 105–128. [Google Scholar]
- Good, D.J.; Lyddy, C.J.; Glomb, T.M.; Bono, J.E.; Brown, K.W.; Duffy, M.K.; Lazar, S.W. Contemplating Mindfulness at Work. J. Manag. 2016, 42, 114. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- King, E.; Haar, J.M. Mindfulness and job performance: A study of Australian leaders. Asia Pac. J. Hum. Resour. 2017, 55, 298–319. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Tuckey, M.R.; Sonnentag, S.; Bryant, J. Are state mindfulness and state work engagement related during the workday? Work Stress 2018, 32, 33–48. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Jha, A.P.; Stanley, E.A.; Kiyonaga, A.; Wong, L.; Gelfand, L. Examining the protective effects of mindfulness training on working memory capacity and affective experience. Emotion 2010, 10, 54–64. [Google Scholar]
- Malinowski, P.; Lim, H.J. Mindfulness at Work: Positive Affect, Hope, and Optimism Mediate the Relationship Between Dispositional Mindfulness, Work Engagement, and Well-Being. Mindfulness 2015, 6, 1250–1262. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Petchsawang, P.; McLean, G.N. Workplace spirituality, mindfulness meditation, and work engagement. J. Manag. Spiritual. Relig. 2017, 14, 216–244. [Google Scholar]
- Kabat-Zinn, J. Mindfulness-based interventions in context: Past, present, and future. Clin. Psychol. Sci. Pract. 2003, 10, 144–156. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Mason, C.; Murphy, M.M.R.; Jackson, Y. Mindfulness Practices: Cultivating Heart Centered Communities Where Students Focus and Flourish; Solution Tree Press: Bloomington, IN, USA, 2019. [Google Scholar]
- Hanley, A.W.; Warner, A.R.; Dehili, V.M.; Canto, A.I.; Garland, E.L. Washing dishes to wash the dishes: Brief instruction in an informal mindfulness practice. Mindfulness 2015, 6, 1095–1103. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Birtwell, K.; Williams, K.; van Marwijk, H.; Armitage, C.J.; Sheffield, D. An exploration of formal and informal mindfulness practice and associations with wellbeing. Mindfulness 2019, 10, 89–99. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Shankland, R.; Tessier, D.; Gauchet, A.; Baeyens, C.; Strub, L. Improving Mental Health and Well-Being through Informal Mindfulness Practices: An Intervention Study. Appl. Psychol. Health Well-Being 2020, 13, 63–83. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Tu, B.; Huang, C.-C.; Sitar, S.; Yang, M. Mindfulness practice and burnout: Evidence from Chinese social workers. Front. Psychol. 2022, 13, 821899. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Bakker, A.B.; Demerouti, E. The job demands-resources model: State of the art. J. Manag. Psychol. 2007, 22, 309–328. [Google Scholar]
- Bakker, A.B.; Demerouti, E. Multiple Levels in Job Demands-Resources Theory: Implications for Employee Well-Being and Performance. In Handbook of Wellbeing; Diener, E., Oishi, S., Tay, L., Eds.; DEF Publishers: Salt Lake City, UT, USA, 2018. [Google Scholar]
- Schaufeli, W.B.; Taris, T.W. A critical review of the job demands-resources model: Implications for improving work and health. In Bridging Occupational, Organizational and Public Health: A Transdisciplinary Approach; Bauer, G.F., Hammig, O., Eds.; Springer: Dordrecht, The Netherlands, 2014; pp. 43–68. [Google Scholar]
- Lonska, J.; Mietule, I.; Litavniece, L.; Arbidane, I.; Vanadzins, I.; Matisane, L.; Paegle, L. Work–Life Balance of the Employed Population During the Emergency Situation of COVID-19 in Latvia. Front. Psychol. 2021, 12, 682459. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Robina-Ramírez, R.; Medina-Merodio, J.A.; Estriegana, R.; Sánchez-Oro, M.; Castro-Serrano, J. Stress at Work: Can the Spiritual Dimension Reduce It? An Approach From the Banking Sector. Front. Psychol. 2021, 12, 715884. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Tang, W.-G.; Vandenberghe, C. Role Overload and Work Performance: The Role of Psychological Strain and Leader–Member Exchange. Front. Psychol. 2021, 12, 691207. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Tesi, A. A Dual Path Model of Work-Related Well-Being in Healthcare and Social Work Settings: The Interweaving Between Trait Emotional Intelligence, End-User Job Demands, Coworkers Related Job Resources, Burnout, and Work Engagement. Front. Psychol. 2021, 12, 660035. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Guangzhou Social Work Association. Guangzhou Social Work Development Report in 2020; Guangzhou Social Work Association: Guangzhou, China, 2021. (In Chinese) [Google Scholar]
- Goodman, S.A.; Svyantek, D.J. Person–organization fit and contextual performance: Do shared values matter? J. Vocat. Behav. 1999, 55, 254–275. [Google Scholar]
- Chung, N.G.; Angeline, T. Does work engagement mediate the relationship between job resources and job performance of employees? Afr. J. Bus. Manag. 2010, 4, 1837–1843. [Google Scholar]
- Rai, A.; Ghosh, P.; Chauhan, R.; Singh, R. Improving in-role and extra-role performances with rewards and recognition: Does engagement mediate the process? Manag. Res. Rev. 2018, 41, 902–919. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Schaufeli, W.B.; Bakker, A.B.; Salanova, M. The measurement of work engagement with a brief questionnaire: A cross-national study. Educ. Psychol. Meas. 2006, 66, 701–716. [Google Scholar]
- Balducci, C.; Fraccaroli, F.; Schaufeli, W.B. Psychometric Properties of the Italian Version of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9). Eur. J. Psychol. Assess. 2010, 26, 143–149. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Fong, T.C.T.; Ng, S.M. Measuring engagement at work: Validation of the Chinese version of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale. Int. J. Behav. Med. 2012, 19, 391–397. [Google Scholar]
- Lequeurre, J.; Gillet, N.; Ragot, C.; Fouquereau, E. Validation of a French questionnaire to measure job demands and resources. Rev. Int. De Psychol. Soc. 2013, 26, 93–124. [Google Scholar]
- Deng, G.; Huang, C.; Cheung, S.P.; Zhang, C. Job Demands and Resources, Burnout, and Psychological Distress of Employees in the Chinese Non-profit Sector. Front. Psychiatry 2021, 12, 790064. [Google Scholar] [PubMed]
- Cebolla, A.; Campos, D.; Galiana, L.; Oliver, A.; Tomás, J.M.; Feliu-Soler, A.; Soler, J.; García-Campayo, J.; Demarzo, M.; Baños, R.M. Exploring relations among mindfulness facets and various meditation practices: Do they work in different ways? Conscious. Cogn. 2017, 49, 172–180. [Google Scholar] [PubMed]
- Tong, L. Relationship between meaningful work and job performance in nurses. Int. J. Nurs. Pract. 2018, 24, e12620. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
Mean (SD) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Job Performance [0–6] | 4.0 (0.8) | --- | |||
2. Work Engagement [0–6] | 3.5 (1.3) | 0.59 *** | --- | ||
3. Mindfulness Practice [0–6] | 2.8 (1.5) | 0.22 *** | 0.34 *** | --- | |
4. Job Demands [1–7] | 4.7 (0.7) | 0.04 | −0.17 *** | −0.04 | --- |
Path | Direct Effect | Indirect Effect | Total Effect |
---|---|---|---|
Specification 1: Mindfulness Practice | |||
Mindfulness Practice -> Work Engagement | 0.33 | --- | 0.33 |
Job Demands -> Work Engagement | −0.16 | --- | −0.16 |
Mindfulness Practice -> Job Performance | --- | 0.21 | 0.21 |
Job Demands -> Job Performance | 0.15 | −0.10 | 0.05 |
Work Engagement -> Job Performance | 0.62 | --- | 0.62 |
Specification 2: Formal Mindfulness Practice | |||
Formal Mindfulness Practice -> Work Engagement | 0.21 | --- | 0.21 |
Job Demands -> Work Engagement | −0.17 | --- | −0.17 |
Formal Mindfulness Practice -> Job Performance | --- | 0.13 | 0.13 |
Job Demands -> Job Performance | 0.15 | −0.10 | 0.05 |
Work Engagement -> Job Performance | 0.62 | --- | 0.62 |
Specification 3: Informal Mindfulness Practice | |||
Informal Mindfulness Practice -> Work Engagement | 0.36 | --- | 0.36 |
Job Demands -> Work Engagement | −0.15 | --- | −0.15 |
Informal Mindfulness Practice -> Job Performance | --- | 0.22 | 0.22 |
Job Demands -> Job Performance | 0.15 | −0.09 | 0.06 |
Work Engagement -> Job Performance | 0.62 | --- | 0.62 |
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. |
© 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Share and Cite
Huang, C.-C.; Tu, B.; Zhang, H.; Huang, J. Mindfulness Practice and Job Performance in Social Workers: Mediation Effect of Work Engagement. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19, 10739. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191710739
Huang C-C, Tu B, Zhang H, Huang J. Mindfulness Practice and Job Performance in Social Workers: Mediation Effect of Work Engagement. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022; 19(17):10739. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191710739
Chicago/Turabian StyleHuang, Chien-Chung, Bin Tu, Huiyu Zhang, and Jamie Huang. 2022. "Mindfulness Practice and Job Performance in Social Workers: Mediation Effect of Work Engagement" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 19, no. 17: 10739. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191710739
APA StyleHuang, C. -C., Tu, B., Zhang, H., & Huang, J. (2022). Mindfulness Practice and Job Performance in Social Workers: Mediation Effect of Work Engagement. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(17), 10739. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191710739