Conceptualizing and Measuring Engagement: An Analysis of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale

This article analyzes the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES; Schaufeli et al. in J Happiness Stud 3:71–92, 2002b) on a variety of levels. Study 1 critiques the method by which the original scale was developed, and analyzes a similar sample
using both exploratory and, subsequently, confirmatory factor analyses. Study 2 uses three samples to explore the 17-item
UWES-17, and the recent shorter version of the scale, the 9-item UWES-9. Factor structures and reliabilities of scores for
both scale versions were examined for each sample. Although some cautions are warranted when using the UWES, this research
leans toward supporting a multifactorial conceptualization of the construct. Preliminary construct validation of the use of
the measures was also established via correlations with other pertinent constructs. Although research on the measure remains
sparse, the UWES-9 holds promise as a parsimonious version of the UWES-17 that appears valid in use, appears to yield reliable
scores in the samples herein, and also appears to capture the purported three-factor dimensionality of the engagement construct
better than does the original UWES-17 version.