IngentaConnect Does work engagement increase after a short respite? The role of ...

Authors: Kühnel, Jana¹; Sonnentag, Sabine¹; Westman, Mina²

Source: Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, Volume 82, Number 3, September 2009 , pp. 575-594(20)

Publisher: British Psychological Society

Abstract:

This study extends research on work engagement by examining how a short respite and general job involvement contribute to work engagement. We gathered questionnaire data from 156 nurses before and after a short respite. Results indicated an increase of work engagement after the respite. Structural equation modelling showed that nurses who experienced psychological detachment from work during the respite showed a higher increase of work engagement. Moreover, nurses who indicated higher job involvement also showed a higher increase of work engagement. Contradictory to this direct positive effect job involvement had on change in work engagement, job involvement exerted a negative indirect effect on change in work engagement by impaired psychological detachment during the respite. Hence, job involvement acted as a double-edged sword for the increase of work engagement. Practical implications for the organization of short respites and suggestions for future research on recovery processes are discussed.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1348/096317908X349362

Affiliations: 1: University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany 2: Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel

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Does work engagement increase after a short respite? The role of job involvement as a double-edged sword