Abstract
The present diary study investigates, at the within-person level, how job satisfaction mediates the relationship between self-rated job performance and recovery experiences (i.e., psychological detachment from work and relaxation) during off-job time. Furthermore, we explore the effects of these two recovery experiences on couple´s well-being. Data were collected from 145 dual-earner couples (N = 290 participants; N = 1450 occasions) with a daily diary design (five consecutive working days). Multilevel analyses showed that daily job performance positively predicted psychological detachment and relaxation, and that daily job satisfaction partially mediated this relationship. In addition, we found that psychological detachment and relaxation have positive effects on own and partner´s indicators of well-being (i.e., relationship satisfaction and positive emotions). The benefits of recovery go beyond the individual and affect their partner´s level of well-being.
Highlights
Research on recovery has increased in the last years, and has demonstrated that employees who are able to unwind during off-job hours enjoy better health and well-being (e.g., Sonnentag & Fritz, 2015)
We address this gap by examining the role of daily job performance and job satisfaction as potential antecedents that increase the likelihood to psychologically detach from work and to relax at the end of the day during leisure time
Job performance and job satisfaction were measured at the end of the workday, whereas psychological detachment, relaxation, relationship satisfaction and positive emotions were reported before going to bed
Summary
Research on recovery has increased in the last years, and has demonstrated that employees who are able to unwind during off-job hours enjoy better health and well-being (e.g., Sonnentag & Fritz, 2015). Two strategies have been widely analysed in the field of recovery: Psychological detachment from work and relaxation These two strategies allow individuals to keep resources as they do not require investing an extra effort (Sonnentag & Fritz, 2007). Studies examining the role of job-related behaviors and attitudes as facilitators of psychological detachment from work and relaxation are still lacking. We address this gap by examining the role of daily job performance and job satisfaction as potential antecedents that increase the likelihood to psychologically detach from work and to relax at the end of the day during leisure time. This study may contribute to highlight the importance of appropriate job designs to help employees perform better as a mean to increase productivity but as a mean of increasing their own well-being
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