A Study on Factors Affecting Work Engagement of Medical Social Worker: The Job Demands-Resources Model Perspective

Abstract

This study, focusing on the importance of work engagement as a major predictor of job performance, aimed to test the influence of job resources on work engagement and the moderating effect of job demands on work engagement of medical social workers based on the job demands-resources model. Data of 214 medical social workers currently working in the Korean Medical Social Workers Association were analyzed using a survey, and hierarchical regression analysis was employed to validate the research model. Results indicated that autonomy and social support had a significant effect on job resources, whereas the impact of the organizational system remained inconclusive. Job demands did not have a direct effect on work engagement. However, autonomy was found to moderate the effect of work engagement. Based on these findings, I suggested practical and policy recommendations to contribute to the improvement of medical social workers’ work engagement.