Assistant Nurses Work Engagement; The role of Emotional Labor, Empathy, and Psychosocial Conditions

Abstract: From a positive psychology perspective, the aim of the present study was to explore work engagement and the role of individual factors (emotional labor and empathy), and psychosocial work conditions among assistant nurses employed in municipal elderly care. This is a highly relevant topic, since healthcare workers, particularly in elderly care, has been given a lot of attention because of sick-leave and dissatisfaction regarding their job situation. The three research questions were answered using a quantitative methodology with 131 participants from three municipalities in Southern Sweden. A set of Multiple Regression Analysis’ showed that the psychosocial work conditions explained 22% of the sample’s work engagement variance. The factors positive challenge and genuine acting (naturally felt emotions) were the strongest predictors of work engagement. Also, each sub-factor of work engagement (vigor, dedication, and absorption) was statistically tested, wherein the predictability of dedication was found negatively linked to surface acting (faking emotions) and positively to empathetic concern. These findings along with the theoretical framework shed light on assistant nurses engagement in their daily caring work that is governed by interpersonal interactions. Thereafter, a discussion of the findings and practical contributions are offered and ends up with this study’s strengths and weaknesses and suggestions for future research.