Work-related flow and energy at work and at home: A study on the role of daily recovery

Evangelia Demerouti, Arnold B. Bakker, Sabine Sonnentag, Clive J. Fullagar

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

231 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In this diary study, we aimed to examine the moderating effects of the following: (i) recovery efforts at work and (ii) detachment from work on the relationship between work-related flow and energy after work. Specifically, we hypothesized that flow would be beneficial for energy after work when employees failed (versus managed) to recover during work breaks. Additionally, we predicted that when employees experience flow at work, they would be more vigorous (and less exhausted) at the end of the day when they detached from work in the evening compared with days when they failed to detach. The study tracked 83 participants who completed daily surveys over four consecutive days. Results of multilevel analyses indicated that some characteristics of flow, such as absorption and enjoyment, were significantly associated with energy after work. Recovery at work and detachment from work moderated the relationship between flow (specifically the enjoyment component) and after-work energy.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)276-295
Number of pages20
JournalJournal of Organizational Behavior
Volume33
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Daily diary
  • Exhaustion
  • Flow at work
  • Psychological detachment
  • Recovery
  • Vigor

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Applied Psychology
  • Sociology and Political Science
  • General Psychology
  • Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management

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