The Mediating Role of Trust In Coworker In The Effect Of Perceived Overqualification On Job Passion: A Study On Aircraft Maintenance Technicians

This study examines how perceived overqualification defined as employees’ perception that their qualifications exceed job requirements affects job passion. Grounded in Optimal Distinctiveness Theory, which suggests that individuals seek a balance between belonging to a group and maintaining personal uniqueness, the study investigates two forms of job passion: harmonious passion (a balanced, self-directed engagement with work) and obsessive passion (a rigid, uncontrollable attachment to one’s job). Additionally, the study explores the mediating role of trust in coworkers in the relationship between perceived overqualification and job passion. Data were collected from 227 aircraft maintenance technicians working in the Turkish aviation sector. Analyses were conducted using confirmatory factor analysis, multiple regression, and mediation analysis through SPSS 25.0 and Jamovi software. The results indicate that the misfit dimension of overqualification negatively predicts obsessive passion, while the simplicity dimension has a detrimental effect on harmonious passion. Moreover, trust in coworkers partially mediates both relationships. These findings offer theoretical contributions to understanding the emotional consequences of overqualification and provide actionable insights for HR practices in aviation and similar high-skill sectors.