The association of subjective fit perceptions, distress, emotional exhaustion, and work engagement, with work functioning problems: A cross‐sectional study conducted among young construction project management professionals

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association of subjective fit perceptions, distress, emotional exhaustion, and work engagement, with work functioning, among young construction project management professionals (CPMPs). METHODS: The research had a cross‐sectional design. Dutch young CPMPs (142 participants, age range: 20 to 30 years of age) completed a questionnaire containing general questions recording their demographic characteristics, and instruments recording the following concepts: perceived person‐organization fit, perceived person‐job fit (including demands‐abilities fit and needs‐supplies fit), distress, emotional exhaustion, work engagement, and work functioning. Correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis were used to examine the association of fit perceptions, distress, emotional exhaustion, and work engagement, with work functioning. RESULTS: The correlation analysis indicated that person‐organization fit, needs‐supplies fit, distress, emotional exhaustion, and work engagement correlated significantly with work functioning problems of young CPMPs. The multiple regression analyses corroborated that needs‐supplies fit, distress, and emotional exhaustion related significantly to the work functioning problems of young CPMPs, with the standardized regression coefficients (β) of −0.28, 0.52, and 0.38 (P < .01), respectively. Other than would be expected, the multiple regression analyses also made clear that work engagement does not significantly relate to work functioning problems beyond distress and emotional exhaustion. CONCLUSIONS: Incongruence between personal needs and job supplies, psychological distress, and emotional exhaustion are central correlates of the work functioning problems of young CPMPs. Occupational health professionals can use these insights to help young CPMPs at work.