Flow metacognition and flow at work: Initial evidence of a directional relationship

Abstract

Metacognitions about the flow state are people's awareness of and beliefs about the flow state and its consequences, and about strategies for achieving and maintaining flow. A prior correlational study found that people's confidence in their ability to self-regulate flow predicts the intensity of flow at work above and beyond measures of general metacognitions. This study tested the directional and longitudinal hypothesis that flow metacognitions predict flow at work. A sample of 101 professionals completed the Flow Metacognitions Questionnaire and the Short Flow in Work Scale, on two occasions, three months apart. A comparison of alternative structural equation models supported the directional relationship between Confidence in Ability to Self-Regulate Flow and flow at work. The findings from this study suggest that if one is confident that one can make flow happen, this confidence makes one experience more intense flow in future work situations. The implications of these findings for future research are discussed.