Core self-evaluation and work engagement: employee strengths use as a mediator and role overload as a moderator

Although core self-evaluation (CSE) has been found to be positively linked with work engagement, we have little knowledge about why and when this relationship occurs. This study sought to investigate the mediating effect of employee strengths use (ESU) and the moderating effect of role overload on the relationship of CSE with work engagement. A two-wave design was applied to collect data from a sample of 344 employees from one energy company in China. Results showed that ESU acts as a mediator between CSE and work engagement, and role overload lessens the direct linkage between ESU and work engagement and the indirect association between CSE and work engagement via ESU. This study advances our understanding of the process mechanisms underlying the relationship between CSE and work engagement, and reveals the boundary condition under which CSE has a stronger association with work engagement via ESU.