A study of psychological flow and related variables

Abstract

The concept of psychological flow remains difficult to define, despite progress in the body of research surrounding it. This study’s objective is to examine the relationships among the flow phenomenon and other relevant psychological variables, such as: positive affect, psychological well-being, self-efficacy, intrinsic interest, and self-concordance. We also explore the links between the aforementioned constructs and enjoyment and absorption, which are essential components of psychological flow. To do so, simple and multiple linear regression analyses were carried out using data from a convenience sample of participants. As instruments, we employed our version of the Flow Sub-scales (Rodríguez, Schaufeli, Salanova, & Cifre, 2008), the Self-concordance and Self-efficacy Index (Sansinenea, Gil de Montes, Agirrezabal, Larrañaga, Ortiz, Valencia, & Fuster, 2008), and the Spanish versions of the: Flow State Scale (Jackson & Marsh, 1996), Psychological Well-being Scales (Ryff, 1989), and the PANAS scales (Watson, Clark, & Tellegen, 1988). The results show that general and weekly positive affect, psychological well-being, self-efficacy, intrinsic interest, and self-concordance can predict portions of variance in psychological flow, enjoyment, and absorption. The implications of these results are important to defining this construct.