Study Engagement in Italian University Students: A Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale—Student Version

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the psychometric properties of the Italian translation of the short form of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale—Student version (UWES-S-9) on a sample of 491 Italian University students aged between 18 and 47 years (M = 24.24 ± 4.64; 24% boys and 76% girls). We analyzed the factor structure of the UWES-S-9 by means of four Confirmatory Factor Analyses. Moreover, we examined if there were some demographic and study-related (year and area of study) differences in study engagement, using a path analysis model. Finally, we analyzed the correlations between study engagement and both academic performance (Grade Point Average) and time spent studying (hours of study per day generally and before exams). We found that the Italian UWES-S-9 has good psychometric properties. Moreover, students of Scientific and Biomedical majors are more dedicated to studying as compared to Humanities and Professional Health Sciences students.