Working in the sky: a diary study on work engagement among flight attendants

J Occup Health Psychol. 2008 Oct;13(4):345-56. doi: 10.1037/1076-8998.13.4.345.

Abstract

This study aims to gain insight in the motivational process of the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model by examining whether daily fluctuations in colleague support (i.e., a typical job resource) predict day-levels of job performance through self-efficacy and work engagement. Forty-four flight attendants filled in a questionnaire and a diary booklet before and after consecutive flights to three intercontinental destinations. Results of multilevel analyses revealed that colleague support had unique positive effects on self-efficacy and work engagement. Self-efficacy did not mediate the relationship between support and engagement, but work engagement mediated the relationship between self-efficacy and (in-role and extra-role) performance. In addition, colleague support had an indirect effect on in-role performance through work engagement. These findings shed light on the motivational process as outlined in the JD-R model, and suggest that colleague support is an important job resource for flight attendants helping them reach their work-related goals.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aircraft*
  • Cooperative Behavior
  • Employee Performance Appraisal
  • Female
  • Goals
  • Humans
  • Job Description*
  • Job Satisfaction
  • Male
  • Motivation*
  • Peer Group*
  • Role
  • Self Efficacy*
  • Social Support*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Writing