ABSTRACT In this diary study, we examined whether creative activities during leisure are related to affective well-being at bedtime and work-related self-efficacy the next morning. We propose that these relationships are mediated by self-expression and moderated by absorption, with stronger relationships when absorption is high. Diary data were collected from 84 employes (N = 329 days) three times daily over five consecutive workweek days. We analyzed the data using multilevel modeling, controlling for other leisure activities. Results showed that nonwork creative activity was related to evening recovery, indicated by a change in affective well-being (higher positive activation, higher serenity, lower fatigue), but not with work-related self-efficacy. Self-expression mediated the relationship between nonwork creative activity and well-being, and absorption did not function as a moderator but as a mediator. Overall, these findings extend the research on nonwork creative activities and examine the underlying mechanisms between nonwork creative activity and affective well-being.
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