Dataset for: The Impact of Perceived Stress on Work Engagement of Young Cadres: The Role of Public Service Motivation and Psychological Quality

Establishing a service-oriented government to promote national governance systems and capacities fundamentally relies on the sustained and efficient contributions of young cadres. Enhancing their motivation and promoting work engagement have become important challenges for governmental agencies. Based on the empirical analysis of 711 samples, this research examines the underlying mechanisms and boundary conditions through which perceived stress influences young cadres’ work engagement. Results reveal that perceived stress significantly and negatively affects work engagement. Public service motivation is a mediating factor between internal perceptions and external behaviors, partially mediating this relationship. Furthermore, psychological resilience (i.e., the cognitive-emotional competence) can alleviate the adverse influence of perceived stress on work engagement and diminish the mediating effect of public service motivation. This study enriches current research on young cadres’ work engagement and provides a theoretical foundation for improving engagement levels in the Chinese governmental context.