The Moderating Effect of Work Engagement in the Relationship between Occupational Stress and Job Performance

Abstract

Occupational stress has become a common concern in today's fast-paced workplace, frequently resulting in burnout, health issues, job discontent, and decreased productivity. Excessive levels of stress reduce the amount and quality of work produced, which hinders job performance. This study examines how work engagement—defined as vigor, dedication, and absorption—modifies the relationship between job performance and occupational stress. Data was collected from a sample of 516 police officers in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand using a purposive sampling technique, and regression analysis was conducted to explore the moderating role of work engagement. The moderation analysis revealed a significant increase in R-squared, indicating the quantitative significance of work engagement in mitigating the effects of occupational stress on job performance. The findings reveal that work engagement positively moderates this relationship, with the detrimental effects of occupational stress on job performance being lessened when employees are highly engaged. The implications of the study emphasize the importance of fostering work engagement through organizational interventions, such as training programs and stress management initiatives, to enhance job performance and resilience in high-stress environments.