Introduction
Work engagement is a positive and fulfilling state at work characterized by three positive work related states of absorption, vigor and dedication. It reduces cynicism and burnout, and though it benefits all, engagement may be especially crucial for women. According to a Nielsen report, working women face higher burnout due to multiple work and home responsibilities. For Indian working women, burnout and disengagement rates may be higher due to strong gender norms limiting domestic roles mostly to women, with little support from spouses or external care. However, studies on gender and engagement show mixed results. We propose social capital within the workplace can boost engagement and reduce negative mental states.
Purpose
The purpose of the present study is to understand the impact of mentorship on work engagement of women through the mediating role of psychological capital. This study uses the Job-Demands Resources Model, to link mentoring functions and work engagement. It also applies the Conservation of Resources theory, to explain the mediating role of psychological capital.
Method
The study examined 239 full-time Indian working women using purposive and snowball sampling.
Results
The t-test showed that the mean scores of work engagement were significantly higher among women who received mentorship versus those who did not have mentors. The PROCESS MACRO analysis used to test mediation shows that only career support function has direct positive significant effect on work engagement whereas psy-cap was found to mediate the relationship between all three types of mentoring and work engagement.
Conclusions
This study offers insights for organizations to design mentorship programme that encourage mentors to provide coaching, feedback and sponsorship to women mentees for various task-related behaviours. This further enhances their psychological capital helping them engage at work despite gender barriers, rather than 'fixing' them to conform to masculine norms, which blocks their authenticity at work.