The Mediating Role of Work Motivation in the Relationship between Competence, Internal Communication, and Health Promotion Officers’ Performance

Abstract

Introduction: Health promotion officers have an essential role in delivering preventive health programs and improving community health outcomes. However, differences in performance among officers remain a concern in primary healthcare settings. This study investigated whether work motivation mediates the relationship between competence, internal communication, and performance.
Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted among 185 health promotion officers in four districts of Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire assessing competence, internal communication, work motivation, and performance. The proposed relationships were examined using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM).
Results: Competence was positively associated with work motivation (β = 0.165, p = 0.006) and performance (β = 0.638, p < 0.001). Internal communication significantly influenced work motivation (β = 0.672, p < 0.001), but showed no significant direct association with performance (β = -0.011, p = 0.837). Work motivation had a significant positive relationship with performance (β = 0.416, p < 0.001) and mediated the associations of competence (β = 0.037, p < 0.001) and internal communication (β = 0.141, p < 0.001) with performance.
Conclusion: Work motivation plays an important mediating role in explaining how competence and internal communication are related to health promotion officers’ performance. Improving staff competence, organizational communication, and motivational support may contribute to better primary healthcare performance.