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Structural and Predictive Validity of the Spanish Short Version of Utrecht Work Engagement Scale in Educational Institutions Workers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 February 2022

Zuleima Santalla-Banderali Open the ORCID record for Zuleima Santalla-Banderali [Opens in a new window]  and
Jesús M. Alvarado Open the ORCID record for Jesús M. Alvarado [Opens in a new window]
Zuleima Santalla-Banderali*
Affiliation:
Universidad Espíritu Santo (Ecuador)
Jesús M. Alvarado
Affiliation:
Universidad Complutense (Spain)
*
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Zuleima Santalla-Banderali. Universidad Espíritu Santo. Escuela de Psicología. Km. 2.5 Vía a Samborondón, Cantón Samborondón. Provincia de Guayas, Ecuador. E-mail: zuleymasantalla@gmail.com Phone: +593–979461980.
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Abstract

In this paper, we evaluate the factorial validity of the Spanish short version of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES–9) and assess its predictive validity with respect to self-assessed work performance. A total of 229 employees from educational institutions in Ecuador participated. Using a model comparison analysis, the unidimensional model exhibited an excellent goodness of fit, χ2 = 26.176 (24), p = .344; CFI =1.000; TLI = 1.000; RMSEA = .020; SRMR = .034; it was not improved by more complex models, Three-factor model: χ2 = 22.148 (21), p = .391; CFI =1.000; TLI = 1.000; RMSEA = .016; SRMR = .033. Two-factor model: χ2 = 26.080 (23), p = .297; CFI = 1.000; TLI = 1.000; RMSEA = .025; SRMR = .034). Therefore, it is justified as a unidimensional instrument of work engagement. However, upon analyzing the correlation patterns of the overall score and the work engagement dimensions in relation to the task performance, contextual performance, and counterproductive behaviors, we conclude that, while the unidimensional model exhibits a good fit, the three-factor theoretical approach is substantively superior in that it maintains differential predictive validity for each theoretical dimension.

Keywords

construct validityUtrecht Work Engagement ScaleUWES–9work engagement
Type
Research Article
Information
The Spanish Journal of Psychology , Volume 25 , 2022 , e10
Copyright
© Universidad Complutense de Madrid and Colegio Oficial de Psicólogos de Madrid 2022

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Footnotes

Conflicts of Interest: None.

Funding Statement: This research received no specific grant from any funding agency, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

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