An Italian validation of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale: Characterization of engaged groups in a sample of schoolteachers

The current study explored the psychometric properties of the Italian versions of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-17 and UWES-9). In particular, the aims were: (1) to evaluate its factorial valid - ity, in which we compared the fit of the one-factor model to that of the three-factor model for various ver - sions of the UWES; (2) to inspect the scale’s reliability through Cronbach’s alpha and inter-item correlation; and, (3) to classify teachers on the basis of their work engagement levels, using cluster-analyses, and to determine whether engaged teachers differ from their less engaged colleagues in terms of various outcomes correlates. Confirmatory factor analysis sup - ported the hypothesized three- factor structure — vigour, dedica - tion, absorption — of both UWES scales. However, while the three-fac - tor structure of the UWES-17 did not show a good approximation to the data, the UWES-9 showed an acceptable fit. Results of cluster analysis revealed that teachers who feel more engaged show higher levels of positive attitudes compared with those who are less engaged. To sum up, our findings showed that the short UWES can be used in Italy among schoolteachers for assessing and monitoring levels of work engagement.