Investigating the Mediating Role of Chronic Fatigue in the Relationship Between Mental Workload and Work Ability with Cognitive Failure: A Path Analysis Study in Micro and Small Industrial Workshop workers

Introduction: Considering the abundance and the large number of workers employed in micro and small industrial workshops in Iran and the importance of workers’ health, the present study aimed to investigate the mediating role of chronic fatigue in the relationship between mental workload and work ability with cognitive failure using path analysis. Material and Methods: This study was conducted using a cross-sectional design on a sample of workers employed in micro and small industrial workshops in the city of Eghlid. Data were collected utilizing various measures, including demographic and occupational information questionnaires, the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX), the Work Ability Index (WAI), and questionnaires for chronic fatigue and cognitive failure. The correlation test and path analysis modeling were used in SPSS (version 24) and AMOS softwares to investigate the relationship between variables. Results: The mean scores of mental workload, work ability, chronic fatigue, and cognitive failure were 69.63, 35.20, 15.58, and 53.30, respectively. The values of the goodness of fit indices lead to the confirmation of the conceptual model by the research data. Also, based on the findings of the path analysis, the current research model has a good fit (CFI=1.00, GFI=0.998, NFI=0.999, AGFI=0.98 and RMSEA=0.003(0.00,0.169)). Conclusion: The path analysis results indicate that chronic fatigue plays a significant mediating role in the relationship between mental workload and work ability with cognitive failure. A better understanding of the mediating mechanisms and complex effects of these relationships can contribute to improving the management of chronic fatigue and enhancing cognitive performance in the workplace