Validation of the Utrecht work engagement scale (UWES-9) in the Czech Republic

The Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) is the most widely used work engagement measure. However, its cultural validity regarding factor structure and other psychometric characteristics remains unclear in certain cultural contexts. Thus, this study aimed to assess UWES-9, shortened version of UWES, in the Czech cultural environment psychometrically. A Sample of 707 employees (Age: M = 43.65, SD = 10.08, Females: 38.47%) recruited from various companies in the Czech Republic was used. Neuroticism, extraversion, self-efficacy, spirituality, chronic health diseases, and frequency of health risk behavior were measured. Higher UWES-9 total scores were reported for professional staff, managers, and people with higher vocational school or university scores. Additionally, a significant difference was also found in family status, with individuals in a relationship reporting higher work absorption. Among the tested factor models the modified three-factor solution: χ² (20) = 158.853; p < .0.001; CFI = 0.987; TLI = 0.976; RMSEA = 0.077; SRMR = 0.017 reached the highest fit with the data. Measurement equivalence testing suggested that on configural, metric, scalar, and strict levels, the UWES-9 assesses work engagement invariantly between genders. A positive association with extraversion, self-efficacy, and a negative association with neuroticism supported the convergent validity of the UWES-9. Internal consistency (α = 0.96, McDonald's ω = 0.96) was excellent. Logistic regression revealed that a higher score in the UWES-9 was associated with a lower chance of developing skin diseases and pain of unclear origin. The cultural validity of the UWES-9 in terms of factor structure was supported. The UWES-9 is a valid and reliable instrument to measure work engagement in the Czech cultural context.