How work constrains leisure: New ideas and directions for interdisciplinary research

In this commentary, we note the lack of emphasis on work-related factors in the leisure constraints literature. We highlight three work-related factors that we think warrant investigation as leisure constraints: (1) labor practices related to work scheduling, (2) organizational norms, and (3) work supervisors. We discuss relevant organizational psychology literatures and note that future research focusing on work-related factors could broaden knowledge about leisure constraints and illuminate new paths forward for improving employees’ leisure experiences. We emphasize that addressing these work-related constraints likely requires moving beyond individual-directed strategies and focusing on contextual factors (e.g., organizational policies and practices) that could be targeted to improve employees’ leisure experiences

The Importance of Leisure for Subjective Well-Being

This chapter reviews what is known about how leisure contributes to subjective well-being (SWB). We review evidence documenting the importance of leisure for SWB and point to psychological need fulfillment as the main mechanism through which leisure promotes well-being. We discuss why individuals often do not fully experience the beneficial effects of leisure, focusing on intrapersonal, interpersonal, and structural constraints to leisure participation, and review differences in the degree and type of constraints experienced by different demographic groups. Finally, we review research on the cognitive and behavioral strategies individuals employ to overcome leisure constraints, and highlight the need to understand how societal and institutional policies influence leisure participation and quality. Throughout, we identify important questions for future research

The impact of within-day work breaks on daily recovery processes: An event-based pre-/post-experience sampling study

Research on recovery from work stress has emphasized the importance of within-day work breaks. However, prior research has not been designed and analysed in a way that fully aligns with the processes described by the underlying theoretical framework (i.e., the effort-recovery model). The current paper examines the effects of within-day work breaks on recovery using an event-based pre-/post (EBPP)-design, in a way that more fully captures the recovery process as described by the effort-recovery model. We also included designs used in previous studies (i.e., an interval-based design and an event-based design without pre-break strain measures) to demonstrate the differences between the EBPP design and previous designs. The results of the EBPP model using a sample of Chinese white-collar employees showed that within-day work breaks are significantly associated with reduced fatigue and negative affect and increased positive affect, supporting the predicted recovery effects of within-day work breaks. However, mixed results were found in the interval-based design, and non-significant results were found in the event-based design without pre-break measurements. We discuss methodological implications and explain how the EBPP design could be applied to study other episodic phenomena

An Episodic Examination of Workplace Breaks and Self Regulatory Resource Restoration

An event-based diary design was used to examine the role work breaks play in restoring momentary self-regulatory resources. Results showed that breaks restore self-regulatory resources. This study advanced workplace break research by adopting a methodologically sound design and providing empirical evidence on the importance of breaks for restoring self-regulatory resources

COMMUTE LENGTH, COMMUTE SATISFACTION, AND LIFE SATISFACTION: A METAANALYSIS

Purpose The amount of time workers spend commuting continues to increase across the globe. The purpose of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis in order to examine the relationship between commute length, commute satisfaction, and life satisfaction. Methodology Twenty-six primary studies on the relationships between commute length, commute satisfaction, and/or life satisfaction were included in this study. Results Results indicated a significant negative relationship between commute length and life satisfaction (r = -.13, p \u3c .01), between commute length and commute satisfaction (r= -.25, p \u3c .01), and between commute satisfaction, and life satisfaction (r= 0.24, p \u3c .01). Tests of a meta-analytic mediation model revealed that long commutes negatively impact life satisfaction by impacting commute satisfaction (r = -.06, p \u3c.01). Limitations An important limitation of this study is the possibility of unmeasured confounding variables (e.g, socio-economic status). Research/Practical Implications Future research should examine the effects of commute length on life satisfaction with stronger longitudinal and experimental designs and should also assess what aspects of commuting (i.e. mode of commute, activities engaged in while commuting, commute stress, and flexibility/timing of commute) can mitigate the effects of commute length on commute satisfaction and life satisfaction. Our research can also be used to inform government initiatives on transportation and affordable housing, relevant organizational policies, and employees’ commute-related decisions. Originality/Value This study provides a clearer understanding of whether and why commute length impacts life satisfactio

Symposium: Optimizing Leisure and Vacation Activities to Enhance Well-Being

This symposium responds to calls to expand the work–life literature to include aspects of life other than work and family by considering how leisure and vacation choices impact well-being. Three presentations examine how different types of leisure and vacation experiences impact workers’ well-being, highlighting these activities as an important part of work–life decision making. Xue Lei, George Mason University, Lauren Kuykendall, George Mason University, Ze Zhu, George Mason University, MaryJo Kolze, George Mason University, Xinyu Hu, Northern Illinois University, Leisure Choices and Well-Being: Comparisons Between Active and Passive Leisure Xinyu Hu, Northern Illinois University, Lauren Kuykendall, George Mason University, Ze Zhu, George Mason University, Linking Work Role Demands, Leisure Choices, and Well-Being Mina Westman, Tel Aviv University, The Impact of Vacation Activities and Experiences on Well-Being Submitted by Lauren Kuykenda