A systematic review and meta-analytical synthesis of the relationship between work engagement and job satisfaction in nurses

Abstract

Purpose This study aimed to clarify the mixed conclusions regarding work engagement and job satisfaction in the nursing research literature by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis. Design and Methods This meta-analytic review synthesized 15 independent studies published between 2007 and 2021. Findings An overall effect size of random-effect model was calculated as r = 0.47 (k = 15, N = 3,818, 95% confidence interval [0.43;0.51]). Data collection method and presence of control variable, as significant moderators, accounted for 43.6% and 43.8%, respectively, of the effect size heterogeneity. Practice Implications While the positive relationship between work engagement and job satisfaction was higher in studies using the face-to-face data collection method, it was lower in studies using the control variable in their research models.