Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES)

Abstract

The Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) is a self-report questionnaire designed to measure Work Engagement, defined as a positive, fulfilling, work-related state of mind. Developed by Schaufeli and colleagues, the scale operationalizes engagement across three core dimensions: Vigor, Dedication, and Absorption. The UWES was created to provide an independent measure of engagement, distinguishing it conceptually and empirically from the traditional conceptualization of burnout.

The scale exists in multiple versions (UWES-17, UWES-15, and the short UWES-9) and has demonstrated strong cross-national factorial validity and high internal consistency across diverse occupational and student populations globally, affirming its suitability for use in organizational and psychological research.

Keywords

Work Engagement, Vigor, Dedication, Absorption, Burnout, Occupational Health Psychology, Psychometrics, UWES, Employee Well-being.

Authors

Wilmar B. Schaufeli, Marisa Salanova, Vicente González-Romá, Arnold B. Bakker.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the UWES is to provide a robust and psychometrically sound instrument for measuring the construct of Work Engagement. The scale was developed specifically to overcome methodological limitations inherent in models that treat engagement merely as the opposite of burnout, particularly when both are measured using the same instrument, such as the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI).

The UWES allows researchers and practitioners to assess the extent to which employees or students experience a positive and fulfilling connection with their work or studies, characterized by high energy and strong identification. By independently measuring engagement, the UWES enables the simultaneous study of engagement and burnout to investigate their unique contributions to organizational outcomes and well-being.

Construct

The UWES measures Work Engagement, which is conceptualized as a persistent and pervasive affective-cognitive state, rather than a momentary feeling. This state is defined by three interrelated dimensions:

• Vigor: Characterized by high levels of energy, mental resilience, willingness to invest effort in one’s work, and persistence even when facing difficulties. Vigor is considered the direct conceptual opposite of the exhaustion component of burnout.
• Dedication: Defined by strong involvement in one’s work, accompanied by feelings of significance, enthusiasm, inspiration, pride, and challenge. Dedication serves as the direct conceptual opposite of cynicism.
• Absorption: Characterized by being fully concentrated and happily engrossed in one’s work, where time passes quickly, and the individual finds it difficult to detach from the work activity. Absorption is a distinct aspect of work engagement that was included instead of the inverse of professional inefficacy, which the developers found to be a less prominent feature of positive engagement.

Validity

The UWES demonstrates strong Factorial Validity. Confirmatory Factor Analyses (CFA) conducted across various international samples (e.g., The Netherlands, Spain, Portugal) consistently supported the hypothesized three-factor structure (Vigor, Dedication, Absorption) as superior to a simpler one-factor model, confirming that the dimensions are empirically distinct facets of the overarching construct.

The scale also exhibits robust Cross-National Invariance. Studies utilizing slightly adapted student versions (UWES-S) indicated that the factor structure remained largely invariant across samples from Spain, The Netherlands, and Portugal, suggesting that the construct of work engagement is measured equivalently across diverse cultural contexts.

Reliability

The reliability of the UWES, measured primarily through internal consistency, is consistently reported as good to excellent across all versions (UWES-17, UWES-15, and UWES-9). Values of Cronbach’s $alpha$ for the subscales typically range between .80 and .90, significantly exceeding the critical value of .70 recommended for established instruments.

The scale also exhibits relative Stability over time. For instance, two-year stability coefficients reported in longitudinal studies showed moderate stability for the dimensions: Vigor (.30), Dedication (.36), and Absorption (.46). The internal consistencies remain high even for the short UWES-9 version, with median Cronbach’s $alpha$ values of .84 for Vigor, .89 for Dedication, and .79 for Absorption.

Factor Analysis

The psychometric evaluation of the UWES strongly supports a three-factor structure, aligning with the theoretical definition of engagement as encompassing Vigor, Dedication, and Absorption. This was confirmed by multiple Confirmatory Factor Analysis studies across different nationalities and occupational groups.

Crucially, while the three factors are statistically distinct, they are highly inter-correlated, reinforcing the idea that they constitute a single, overarching construct of Work Engagement. Correlations between the three scales generally exceed .65, and correlations between the latent variables range from approximately .80 to .90. This pattern confirms the factorial validity and internal coherence of the UWES, although one exploratory factor analysis (Sonnentag, 2003) initially suggested using a total score due to lack of a clear three-factor solution in that specific sample.

Instrument

Test Type: Self-report questionnaire / Academic Scale

Format: Likert-type scale, typically ranging from 0 (Never) to 6 (Always).

Language Available: Dutch, German, French, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, Spanish, Greek, Russian, Portuguese, and English. The original PDF can be downloaded here: http://www.beanmanaged.com/doc/pdf/arnoldbakker/articles/articles_arnold_bakker_87.pdf

Population Group: Employees across various occupational groups (UWES) and students (UWES-S).

Age Group: Adults and young adults/students.

Population Details: The scale has been validated using extensive databases, including Dutch, Flemish, and various international samples.

Test Methodology: Respondents rate the frequency of specific feelings or behaviors related to their work or studies using a 7-point frequency scale:

1. 0= Never
2. 1= Almost never (A few times a year or less)
3. 2= Rarely (Once a month or less)
4. 3= Sometimes (A few times a month)
5. 4=Often (Once a week)
6. 5=Very often (A few times a week)
7. 6= Always (Every day)

Keywords

Psychological Measurement, Organizational Psychology, Vigor, Dedication, Absorption, Scale Development, Cross-National Validity, Internal Consistency, Mental Resilience.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not provided in source content.

Affiliation Email addresses: Not provided in source content.

Correspondence Address: Utrecht University, Occupational Health Psychology Unit (Implied).

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The UWES Preliminary Manual (Version 1) was released in November 2003. The scale originated from research conducted by Schaufeli, Bakker, and colleagues in the early 2000s. Specific details regarding current licensing fees and required permissions for widespread commercial or clinical use should be sought directly from the authors or Utrecht University.

Reference’s

Schaufeli, W.B., Salanova, M., Gonzalez-Roma, V., & Bakker, A.A. (2002). The measurement of engagement and burnout: A two sample confirmatory factor analytic approach. Journal of happiness Studies 3: 71-92.

Schaufeli, W., & Bakker, A. (2003). UWES Utrecht Work Engagement Scale. Preliminary Manual [Version 1, November 2003]. Utrecht: Utrecht University, Occupational Health Psychology Unit. Retrieved from http://www.schaufeli.com

Schaufeli, Wilmar B., Bakker, Arnold B., Salanova, Marisa. (2006). The Measurement of Work Engagement With a Short Questionnaire A Cross-National Study. Educational and Psychological Measurement August; 66(4): 701-716

Schaufeli, W. B., & Bakker, A. B. (2010). Defining and measuring work engagement: Bringing clarity to the concept. In A. B. Bakker & M. P. Leiter(Eds.), Work engagement: A handbook of essential theory and research (pp. 10–24). New York: Psychology Press.

Schaufeli, W. B., & Salanova, M. (2011). Work engagement: On how to better catch a slippery concept. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 20, 39–46.

Schaufeli, W.B., Salanova, M., Gonzalez-Roma, V., & Bakker, A.B. (2002). The measurement of engagement and burnout: A two sample confirmatory factor analytic approach. Journal of Gideon P. de Bruin., Carin Hill., Carolina M. Henn., Klaus-Peter Muller. (2013). Dimensionality of the UWES-17: An item response modelling analysis. SA Journal of Industrial Psychology. 39(2)

Items of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES)

The UWES-17 items, categorized by dimension (VI= Vigor; DE = Dedication; AB = Absorption), are listed below, followed by the various cross-national versions.

Work & Well-being Survey (English Version)

1. At my work‚ I feel bursting with energy* (VI1)
2. I find the work that I do full of meaning and purpose (DE1)
3. Time flies when I’m working (AB1)
4. At my job‚ I feel strong and vigorous (VI2)*
5. I am enthusiastic about my job (DE2)*
6. When I am working‚ I forget everything else around me (AB2)
7. My job inspires me (DE3)*
8. When I get up in the morning‚ I feel like going to work (VI3)*
9. I feel happy when I am working intensely (AB3)*
10. I am proud on the work that I do (DE4)*
11. I am immersed in my work (AB4)*
12. I can continue working for very long periods at a time (VI4)
13. To me‚ my job is challenging (DE5)
14. I get carried away when I’m working (AB5)*
15. At my job‚ I am very resilient‚ mentally (VI5)
16. It is difficult to detach myself from my job (AB6)
17. At my work I always persevere‚ even when things do not go well (VI6)

* Shortened version (UWES-9); VI= vigor; DE = dedication; AB = absorption

Werkbelevingslijst (UBES) Dutch version

1. Op mijn werk bruis ik van energie. (VI01)*
2. Ik vind het werk dat ik doe nuttig en zinvol. (DE01)
3. Als ik aan het werk ben, dan vliegt de tijd voorbij. (AB01)
4. Als ik werk voel ik me fit en sterk. (VI02)
5. * Ik ben enthousiast over mijn baan. (DE02)*
6. Als ik werk vergeet ik alle andere dingen om me heen. (AB02)
7. Mijn werk inspireert mij. (DE03)*
8. Als ik ‘s morgens opsta heb ik zin om aan het werk te gaan (VI03)
9. * Wanneer ik heel intensief aan het werk ben, voel ik mij gelukkig. (AB03)
10. * Ik ben trots op het werk dat ik doe. (DE04)*
11. Ik ga helemaal op in mijn werk. (AB04)*
12. Als ik aan het werk ben, dan kan ik heel lang doorgaan. (VI04)
13. Mijn werk is voor mij een uitdaging. (DE05)
14. Mijn werk brengt mij in vervoering. (AB05)*
15. Op mijn werk beschik ik over een grote mentale (geestelijke) veerkracht. (VI05)
16. Ik kan me moeilijk van mijn werk losmaken. (AB06)
17. Op mijn werk zet ik altijd door, ook als het tegenzit. (VI06)

Studiebelevingslijst (UBES-S) Dutch student version

1. Als ik studeer bruis ik van de energie. (VI01)*
2. Ik vind mijn studie nuttig en zinvol. (DE01)*
3. Wanneer ik studeer vliegt de tijd voorbij. (AB01)*
4. Ik voel mij sterk en fit wanneer ik studeer en colleges volg. (VI02)*
5. Ik ben enthousiast over de inhoud van mijn studie. (DE02)
6. Ik vergeet alles om mij heen als ik verdiept ben in mijn studie. (AB02)*
7. Mijn studie inspireert mij. (DE03)*
8. Als ik ’s morgens opsta heb ik zin om naar college te gaan of te gaan studeren (VI03)*
9. Wanneer ik heel intensief aan het studeren ben, voel ik me gelukkig. (AB03)
10. Ik ben er trots op dat ik deze studie doe. (DE04)*
11. Ik ga helemaal op in mijn studie. (AB04)*
12. Als ik aan het studeren ben kan ik heel lang doorgaan. (VI04)
13. Ik vind mijn studie uitdagend. (DE05)
14. Ik laat me meeslepen door de stof wanneer ik studeer. (AB05)
15. Ik beschik over een grote mentale veerkracht voor zover het mijn studie betreft. (VI05)
16. Het is voor mij moeilijk afstand te nemen van mijn studie. (AB06)
17. Ik ga door met studeren, zelfs als het tegenzit. (VI06)

Arbeitsengagement German version

1. Bei meiner Arbeit bin ich voll überschäumender Energie (VI1)
2. * Meine Arbeit ist nützlich und sinnvoll (HI1)
3. Während ich arbeite, vergeht die Zeit wie im Fluge (VA1)
4. Beim Arbeiten fühle ich mich fit und tatkräftig (VI2)
5. * Ich bin von meiner Arbeit begeistert (HI2)*
6. Während ich arbeite, vergesse ich alles um mich herum. (VA2)
7. Meine Arbeit inspiriert mich (HI3)*
8. Wenn ich morgens aufstehe, freue ich mich auf meine Arbeit (VI3)
9. * Ich fühle mich glücklich, wenn ich intensiv arbeite (VA3)*
10. Ich bin stolz auf meine Arbeit (HI4)*
11. Ich gehe völlig in meiner Arbeit auf (VA4)*
12. Wenn ich arbeite, kann ich für sehr lange Zeit dran bleiben (VI4)
13. Meine Arbeit ist eine Herausforderung für mich (HI5)
14. Meine Arbeit reißt mich mit (VA5)*
15. Bei meiner Arbeit bin ich geistig sehr widerstandsfähig (VI5)
16. Ich kann mich nur schwer von meiner Arbeit lösen (VA6)
17. Bei meiner Arbeit halte ich immer durch, auch wenn es mal nicht so gut läuft (VI6)

Echelle d’engagement au travail (UWES) French version

1. Je déborde d’énergie pour mon travail (VI1)*
2. Je trouve que mon travail a un sens et une utilité (DE1)
3. Le temps passe à allure folle lorsque je travaille (AB1)
4. Je me sens fort(e) et vigoureux(se) pour faire ce métier (VI2)*
5. Je suis passionné(e) par mon travail (DE2)*
6. Lorsque je travaille, j’oublie tout autour de moi (AB2)
7. Faire ce métier est stimulant (DE3)*
8. Lorsque je me lève le matin, j’ai envie d’aller travailler (VI3)*
9. Je suis content(e) lorsque je suis captivé(e) par mon activité (AB3)*
10. Je suis fier(e) du travail que je fais (DE4)*
11. Je suis complètement absorbé(e) par mon travail (AB4)
12. * J’arrive à travailler longtemps sans m’arrêter (VI4)
13. Selon moi, mon travail est un véritable challenge (DE5)
14. Je suis littéralement plongé(e) dans mon travail (AB5)
15. * Je ne me laisse pas abattre dans mon travail (VI5)
16. Il m’est très difficile de me détacher de mon travail (AB6)
17. Je persévère toujours dans mon travail, même quand les choses ne vont pas bien (VI6)

Skjema på jobb og velvære (UWES) Norwegian version

1. Jeg er full av energi i arbeidet mitt* (VI1)
2. Jeg synes at arbeidet mitt har både mål og mening (DE1)
3. Tiden bare flyr når jeg arbeider (AB1)
4. Jeg føler meg sterk og energisk på jobben (VI2)
5. * Jeg er entusiastisk i jobben min (DE2)*
6. Når jeg arbeider glemmer jeg alt annet rundt meg (AB2)
7. Jeg blir inspirert av jobben min (DE3)*
8. Når jeg står opp om morgenen ser jeg frem til å gå på jobben (VI3)
9. * Jeg føler meg glad når jeg er fordypet i arbeidet mitt (AB3)*
10. Jeg er stolt av det arbeidet jeg gjør (DE4)
11. * Jeg er oppslukt av arbeidet mitt (AB4)*
12. På jobben kan jeg holde på med å arbeide i lange perioder av gangen (VI4)
13. For meg er jobben en utfordring (DE5)
14. Jeg blir fullstendig revet med av arbeidet mitt (AB5)
15. * Jeg føler meg psykisk sterk på jobben (VI5)
16. Det er vanskelig for meg å løsrive meg fra jobben (AB6)
17. Jeg er alltid utholdende på jobb, selv når ting ikke går bra (VI6)

Engagemang (UWES) Swedish version

1. Jag spritter av energi på jobbet * (VI1)
2. Jag tycker att mitt jobb har både mening och mål (DE1)
3. Tiden flyger iväg när jag arbetar (AB1)
4. På jobbet känner jag mig stark och energisk (VI2)
5. * Jag känner mig entusiastisk inför mitt jobb (DE2)*
6. När jag arbetar glömmer jag allt annat runt omkring mig (AB2)
7. Mitt arbete inspirerar mig (DE3)*
8. När jag stiger upp på morgonen så känner jag för att gå till jobbet (VI3)
9. * Jag känner mig lycklig när jag går upp i mitt arbete (AB3)*
10. Jag är stolt över det arbete jag utför (DE4)
11. * Jag rycks med när jag arbetar (AB4)*
12. Jag kan arbeta i väldigt långa perioder åt gången (VI4)
13. För mig är jobbet en utmaning (DE5)
14. Jag är uppslukad av mitt arbete (AB5)*
15. Jag kommer alltid igen efter motgångar på jobbet (VI5)
16. Jag har svårt att släppa tankarna på mitt jobb (AB6)
17. Även om saker på jobbet inte går så bra så ger jag aldrig upp (VI6)

Työn imu (UWES) Finnish version

1. Tunnen olevani täynnä energiaa, kun teen työtäni (VI1)
2. Työni on mielestäni merkityksellistä ja sillä on selvä tarkoitus (DE1)
3. Työskennellessäni unohdan ajan kulun (A12)
4. Tunnen itseni vahvaksi ja tarmokkaaksi työssäni (VI2)
5. * Olen innostunut työstäni (DE2)*
6. Kun työskentelen, unohdan kaiken muun ympärilläni (AB2)
7. Työni inspiroi minua (DE3)*
8. Aamulla herättyäni minusta tuntuu hyvältä lähteä töihin (VI3)*
9. Tunnen tyydytystä, kun olen syventynyt työhöni (AB3)
10. * Olen ylpeä työstäni (DE4)*
11. 11. Olen täysin uppoutunut työhöni (AB4)*
12. Jaksan työskennellä hyvinkin pitkiä aikoja kerrallaan (VI4)
13. Minulle työni on haastavaa (DE5)
14. Kun työskentelen, työ vie minut mukanaan (AB5)*
15. Olen hyvin sinnikäs työssäni (VI5)
16. Minun on vaikea irrottautua työstäni, kun olen siihen uppoutunut (AB6)
17. Jatkan hellittämättä työssäni silloinkin, kun asiat eivät suju niin hyvin (VI6)

Encuesta de Bienestar y Trabajo (UWES) Spanish Version

1. En mi trabajo me siento lleno de energía (VI1)*
2. Mi trabajo está lleno de significado y propósito (DE1)
3. El tiempo vuela cuando estoy trabajando (AB1)
4. Soy fuerte y vigoroso en mi trabajo (VI2)
5. * Estoy entusiasmado con mi trabajo (DE2)*
6. Cuando estoy trabajando olvido todo lo que pasa alrededor de mí (AB2)
7. Mi trabajo me inspira (DE3)*
8. Cuando me levanto por las mañanas tengo ganas de ir a trabajar (VI3)
9. * Soy feliz cuando estoy absorto en mi trabajo (AB3)*
10. Estoy orgulloso del trabajo que hago (DE4)
11. * Estoy inmerso en mi trabajo (AB4)*
12. Puedo continuar trabajando durante largos períodos de tiempo (VI4)
13. Mi trabajo es retador (DE5)
14. Me “dejo llevar” por mi trabajo (AB5)
15. * Soy muy persistente en mi trabajo (VI5)
16. Me es difícil ‘desconectarme’ de mi trabajo (AB6)
17. Incluso cuando las cosas no van bien, continuo trabajando (VI6)

Encuesta de Bienestar y in Contexto Académico (UWES-S) Spanish student version

1. Mis tareas como estudiante me hacen sentir lleno de energía (VI1)
2. * Creo que mi carrera tiene significado (DE1)
3. El tiempo “pasa volando” cuando realizo mis tareas como estudiante (AB1)
4. Me siento fuerte y vigoroso cuando estoy estudiando o voy a las clases (VI2)
5. * Estoy entusiasmado con mi carrera (DE2)*
6. Olvido todo lo que pasa alrededor de mí cuando estoy abstraído con mis estudios (AB2)
7. Mis estudios me inspiran cosas nuevas (DE3)*
8. Cuando me levanto por la mañana me apetece ir a clase o estudiar (VI3)
9. * Soy feliz cuando estoy haciendo tareas relacionadas con mis estudios (AB3)
10. * Estoy orgulloso de hacer esta carrera (DE4)*
11. Estoy inmerso en mis estudios (AB4)*
12. Puedo seguir estudiando durante largos períodos de tiempo (VI4)
13. Mi carrera es retadora para mí (DE5)
14. Me “dejo llevar” cuando realizo mis tareas como estudiante (AB5)
15. * Soy muy “resistente” para afrontar mis tareas como estudiante (VI5)
16. Es difícil para mí separarme de mis estudios (AB6)
17. En mis tareas como estudiante no paro incluso si no me encuentro bien (VI6)

Εργασία και Ευηµερία (UWES) Greek Version

1. Στη δουλειά µου αισθάνοµαι να πληµµυρίζω από ενεργητικότητα. (VI1)*
2. H εργασία που κάνω είναι χρήσιµη και γεµάτη νόηµα. (DE1)
3. Ο χρόνος κυλάει γρήγορα όταν εργάζοµαι. (AB1)
4. Νιώθω γεµάτος/η ζωντάνια και δύναµη όταν εργάζοµαι. (VI2)*
5. Είµαι ενθουσιασµένος/η µε τη δουλειά µου. (DE2)
6. Όταν εργάζοµαι ξεχνώ τα πάντα γύρω µου. (AB2)
7. Η εργασία µου µε εµπνέει. (DE3)*
8. Όταν σηκώνοµαι το πρωί έχω διάθεση να πάω στη δουλειά µου. (VI3)
9. * Νιώθω ευτυχισµένος/η όταν εργάζοµαι µε εντατικούς ρυθµούς. (AB3)
10. * Νιώθω υπερήφανος/η για τη δουλειά που κάνω. (DE4)*
11. Είµαι τελείως απορροφηµένος/η από την εργασία µου. (AB4)*
12. Όταν εργάζοµαι είµαι ικανός να συνεχίσω τη δουλειά µου για πολλή ώρα. (VI4)
13. Η δουλειά µου αποτελεί πρόκληση για µένα. (DE5)
14. Η δουλειά µου µε συναρπάζει. (AB5)*
15. Στην δουλειά µου έχω µεγάλη πνευµατική αντοχή. (VI5)
16. Μου είναι δύσκολο να αποσπάσω τον εαυτό µου από τη δουλειά µου (AB6)
17. ∆είχνω πάντοτε επιµονή στη δουλειά µου, ακόµα κι όταν τα πράγµατα δεν πάνε καλά. (VI6)

Опросник (UWES) Russian version

1. Во время работы меня переполняет энергия*
2. Моя работа целенаправленна и осмысленна
3. Когда я работаю, время пролетает незаметно
4. Во время работы я испытываю прилив сил и энергии*
5. Я полон энтузиазма в отношении своей работы*
6. Во время работы я забываю обо всем окружающем
7. Моя работа вдохновляет меня*
8. Проснувшись утром, я радуюсь тому, что пойду на работу*
9. Я счастлив, когда интенсивно работаю*
10. Я горжусь своей работой*
11. Я ухожу в работу с головой*
12. Могу работать в течение длительного времени без перерывов
13. Работа ставит передо мной сложные и интересные задачи
14. Я позволяю работе «уносить» меня*
15. В работе я очень настойчив и не отвлекаюсь на постороннее
16. Мне трудно отложить работу в сторону
17. Я продолжаю работать даже тогда, когда дела идут плохо

Questionário do bem estar e no contexto academic (UWES-S) Portuguese student version

1. As minhas tarefas como aluno fazem-me sentir cheio(a) de energia (VI1)
2. * Creio que o meu curso tem significado (DE1)
3. O tempo passa a voar quando estou a realizar as minhas tarefas como aluno (AB1)
4. Sinto-me com força e energia quando estou a estudar ou vou às aulas (VI2)
5. * Estou entusiasmado(a) com o meu curso (DE2)*
6. Esqueço tudo o que se passa à minha roda quando estou concentrado(a) nos meus estudos (AB2)
7. Os meus estudos inspiram-me coisas novas (DE3)*
8. Quando me levanto de manhã apetece-me ir para as aulas ou estudar (VI3)*
9. Sinto-me feliz quando estou a fazer tarefas relacionadas com os meus estudos (AB3)
10. * Estou orgulhoso(a) de fazer este curso (DE4)*
11. Estou imerso nos meus estudos (AB4)*
12. As minhas tarefas como aluno não me cansam (VI4)
13. O meu curso é desafiante para mim (DE5)
14. “Deixo-me ir” quando realizo as minhas tarefas como aluno (AB5)*
15. Sou uma pessoa com força para enfrentar as minhas tarefas como aluno (VI5)
16. Sinto-me envolvido(a) no meu curso (AB6)
17. Em minhas tarefas como o páro da pupila não, exatamente isso não me sente bem (VI6)