The Roles of Work Engagement in Interpersonal Stress Process at Work Place

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine how work engagement influences interpersonal stress model, in particular, how work engaged employees cope with interpersonal stressors at work place and how their interpersonal stress coping style influences social support of co-workers. Two questionnaire researches were conducted. Research 1 showed work engaged employees experienced less interpersonal dislocation, and employed more positive relationship-oriented coping. Work engagement negatively influenced interpersonal dislocation which inhibited negative relationship-oriented coping, and this consequently prevented deterioration of mental health. Research 2 showed that work engaged employees perceived themselves as receiving more emotional support and felt less interpersonal interaction anxiety. Work engagement positively influenced positive relationship-oriented coping but did not influence social support. As a whole, the results indicate that work engaged employees actively try to improve interpersonal stress situations, but could not explain the effect of their coping style on their mental health and positive communication at work place. Finally, further examination of the orientation of work engaged employees on human relationship is recommended.