Examining the relationships between work alienation, happiness at work, and meaningfulness of work: A study on healthcare workers

The main purpose of this research is to determine the relationship between work alienation, happiness at work and meaningfulness of work. The population of the study consists of 302 healthcare workers working in a district state hospital in Antalya. In the questionnaire form, personal and professional questions, work alienation, happiness at work and meaningfulness of work scales were used for the participants. Result of the correlation analysis, a negative relationship was found between work alienation and happiness at work, meaningfulness of work and its sub-dimensions; a positive and moderate relationship was found between happiness at work and meaningfulness of work and its sub-dimensions. Result of the regression analysis, an increase in the participants' level of happiness and meaningfulness of work at work statistically reduces work alienation; an increase in the participants' level of happiness at work statistically increases the meaningfulness of work. Result of the mediating effect analysis, happiness at work played a partial mediating role in the effect of meaningfulness of work on work alienation, and as a result, participants' finding their work meaningful increased happiness at work, and with increased happiness at work, individuals experienced less work alienation. Result of the moderation effect analysis, the moderation role of happiness at work in the effect of meaningfulness of work on work alienation was found to be statistically significant, and as a result, as happiness at work increases, the effect of meaningfulness of work on work alienation decreases. The ministry of health, hospital management and researchers have important responsibilities regarding work alienation, happiness at work and meaningfulness of work among healthcare professionals.