Personal Characteristics and the Affective Process at Work: An Experience Sampling Study

Abstract

Based on Affective Events Theory, this experience-sampling study investigated dynamic relationships between discrete affective events and discrete affective states at work (i.e., serenity, vigor, fatigue, and anger). Four classes of affective events were differentiated, namely positive task and social events, and negative task and social events. Additionally, this study examined main effects of focus on opportunities – an age-related construct that describes how many possibilities employees perceive in their occupational future – and general workplace affect. A sample of 106 employees answered surveys at four measurement occasions per day at three subsequent workdays. Multilevel modeling revealed that both positive task and social events were related to both serenity and vigor. However, negative task events were exclusively related to fatigue while negative social events exclusively related to anger. Moreover, both focus on opportunities and general workplace affect were related to affective states. These relationships were partially mediated by affective events. This study adds to knowledge about the distinct roles of task and social events for affective well-being. Moreover, the results concerning focus on opportunities highlight the importance of studying personal characteristics other than trait affectivity when predicting affective processes at work. As for practical implications, managers should promote a focus on opportunities for employees across all age ranges to adhere affective well-being.