Is Higher Work Engagement Associated with Healthy Behaviors? A Longitudinal Study

Abstract

Objectives:We conducted a longitudinal study to examine whether work engagement promotes healthy employee behaviors (smoking cessation, drinking moderation, and regular exercise) among Japanese workers.Methods:The study was part of the Japanese Study of Health, Occupation, and Psychosocial Factors Related to Equity (J-HOPE). The survey measured work engagement of 8050 employees from 12 workplaces. A multivariable logistic analysis was used to examine the odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals after adjusting for job stress, psychological distress, and other confounders.Results:The mean age of the sample was 40.6 years and 77.4% of the participants were men. The mean work engagement score was 2.9. Higher work engagement was significantly positively associated with drinking moderation and weekly exercise behavior, but not smoking cessation.Conclusions:Higher work engagement was associated with healthier employee behaviors after 1 year.