Ikigai as a Personal Resource for Work Engagement: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Nursing Trainees in Germany

TL;DR

This study shows that having a sense of life purpose, or 'ikigai,' is linked to higher work engagement among nursing trainees in Germany.

Contribution

The study introduces ikigai as a novel personal resource for work engagement in nursing, extending the job demands–resources model.

Findings

Ikigai explained 3.3% of the variance in work engagement independently of other factors.

Ikigai showed a strong positive association with work engagement (β = 0.24, p < 0.01).

The model accounted for 40.3% of the variance in work engagement.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Work engagement is essential for quality care and workforce retention in professional nursing. While job demands–resources theory has guided extensive research on job-related antecedents, personal resources have received comparatively less empirical attention, primarily focusing on self-efficacy, self-esteem, and optimism. This study examined the unique association between ikigai—the Japanese concept of life purpose—as a novel personal resource and work engagement in professional nursing practice, controlling for established job resources, demands, and personal resources. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted with vocational nursing trainees in Germany (N = 166). Data were collected via online questionnaire using validated instruments to assess ikigai, job resources (autonomy, interpersonal relations, professional resources), job demands (work overload, lack of formal rewards), other personal resources (self-efficacy, organization-based self-esteem, optimism), and work engagement. Hierarchical multiple linear regression examined ikigai’s unique association with work engagement. Results: The final model explained 40.3% of variance in engagement, with ikigai accounting for a statistically significant increase in explained variance (ΔR2 = 0.033, p < 0.01). Ikigai demonstrated a unique positive association with work engagement (β = 0.24, p < 0.01), comparable in strength to job resources and other personal resources. Conclusions: Findings support ikigai as a distinct personal resource associated with work engagement among nursing trainees. This extends the job demands–resources model by highlighting the relevance of existential constructs. Supporting ikigai development may offer a complementary strategy for promoting engagement in professional nursing.