Validation of a Japanese Version of the Work Engagement Scale for Students

Abstract

We sought to verify the reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale for Students (UWES-S-J). We examined 824 university students. We calculated the goodness of fit for a single-factor model and the three-factor model. The fit to the data was better for the three-factor than for the single-factor model, but all factors were highly positively correlated. Additionally, the UWES-S-J had good internal consistency and test–retest reliability. For the content validity, there were significant positive correlations between the UWES-S-J score and social support, a resilience scale, and subjective happiness. The UWES-S-J has good reliability and validity and may therefore be used to assess study engagement among Japanese students.