Job Satisfaction and Sleep Characteristics as Predictors of Work Engagement among Air Traffic Controllers

Air traffic controllers (ATCs) perform safety-critical tasks that require sustained attention and rapid decision-making under high-workload conditions. Based on the Job Demands–Resources (JD-R) model, this study examined the effects of job satisfaction and sleep characteristics on work engagement among ATCs. Using a cross-sectional design, data were collected from Korean air traffic controllers through structured questionnaires. Hierarchical multiple regression revealed that job satisfaction was a significant positive predictor of work engagement, whereas poor sleep quality was a significant negative predictor, even after adjustment for covariates. These findings support the applicability of the JD-R model in the ATC context, indicating that job satisfaction serves as a motivational resource, whereas poor sleep functions as a job demand. Consequently, improving job satisfaction and implementing systematic fatigue-management strategies are essential for sustaining work engagement and ensuring aviation safety.