Mehmet KILINÇ, Vahit YİĞİT
Journal of International Health Sciences and Management - 2026;12(2):1-12
This study examined the relationship between perceived overqualification and time theft among healthcare professionals and investigated the mediating roles of presenteeism and occupational humorous coping. A quantitative, cross-sectional survey was conducted with 608 healthcare professionals working in four public hospitals in Konya, Türkiye. The measurement and structural models were evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. The results showed that perceived overqualification was positively associated with time theft and presenteeism and negatively associated with occupational humorous coping. Presenteeism was positively associated with time theft and significantly mediated the relationship between perceived overqualification and time theft. In contrast, occupational humorous coping did not have a statistically significant direct effect on time theft and did not mediate the relationship between perceived overqualification and time theft. These findings indicate that presenteeism represents an important psychological mechanism through which perceived overqualification is associated with time theft. Improving person-job fit, providing opportunities for employees to use their qualifications, and implementing organizational practices aimed at reducing presenteeism may help healthcare institutions limit time theft.
