How extended work availability affects well-being: The mediating roles of psychological detachment and work-family-conflict
- 2 January 2017
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Taylor & Francis Ltd in Work & Stress
- Vol. 31 (1), 24-41
- https://doi.org/10.1080/02678373.2017.1298164
Abstract
Studies have identified availability for work during non-work time as a widespread demand that is related to impaired well-being. Whereas existing research results are based on cross-sectional designs, the present study applied a three-wave longitudinal design to improve interpretations of the direction and causation of the effects of extended work availability. In addition, this study investigated mediating processes such as the reduction of psychological detachment and the increase in work-to-family conflict (WFC). A total of 416 people responded to an online survey at three measurement points, with a time lag of 2 months between each survey, to assess the organisational expectations of being available during one’s off-job time as well as psychological detachment, WFC and emotional exhaustion. The results of structural equation modelling indicated that extended work availability is associated with increases in emotional exhaustion over time. A mediation analysis revealed that WFC and psychological detachment mediated this effect. The results of this study provide strong evidence that extended work availability negatively affects employee well-being over time. Furthermore, this study contributes to an explanation of the mediating process of the detrimental effect. This finding can be used for health-related interventions in cases where extended work availability cannot be completely avoided.Keywords
Funding Information
- Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (FK 01FH09083)
This publication has 52 references indexed in Scilit:
- Communication technology: Pros and cons of constant connection to workJournal of Vocational Behavior, 2012
- Happy, healthy, and productive: The role of detachment from work during nonwork time.Journal of Applied Psychology, 2010
- Employee availability for work and family: three Swedish case studiesEmployee Relations: The International Journal, 2007
- Illusions of Balance and Control in an Always-on Environment: a Case Study of BlackBerry UsersContinuum, 2007
- The Recovery Experience Questionnaire: Development and validation of a measure for assessing recuperation and unwinding from work.Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 2007
- Technology‐assisted supplemental work: Construct definition and a research frameworkHuman Resource Management, 2004
- To Parcel or Not to Parcel: Exploring the Question, Weighing the MeritsStructural Equation Modeling: A Multidisciplinary Journal, 2002
- All in a Day'S Work: Boundaries and Micro Role TransitionsAcademy of Management Review, 2000
- Longitudinal studies in organizational stress research: A review of the literature with reference to methodological issues.Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 1996
- Sources of Conflict Between Work and Family RolesAcademy of Management Review, 1985