The Effect of Autotelic Personality on Work Engagement Level of Employees: Role of Personal Meaning

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the effects of autotelic personality on work engagement levels of employees and the mediating role of personal meaning. For the purpose of the research, the data which were collected from 162 employees who have been working in service and public industry by the survey method were analyzed by using partial least squares–structural equation modeling method. While conducting analysis, Smart PLS program was used by applying bootstrapping technique (5000 resample) to determine the significance levels of the proposed hypotheses and also Anderson and Gerbing (1988) two-step approach has been used. According to the research results, it is found out that the dimensions of autotelic personality labelled as curiosity-persistence and attention control have a positive and significant effect on work engagement. However, research results indicate that personal meaning has a positive and significant effect on work engagement. In addition, it is found out personal meaning has partially mediating role in the relationship between curiosity-persistence and work engagement dimensions. On the other hand, this study demonstrate that positive personality traits are crucial antecedents of the favorable workplace attitudes and behaviors.