ABSTRACT
In the present research, we examine the competing predictions of achievement motivation theory and self-regulation theories (i.e., social cognitive theory and the control view) regarding the within-person relationship between individual creative expression and subsequent creative process engagement (CPE). Furthermore, we investigate creative self-efficacy as a mediator of this complex relationship and hypothesize that a state regulatory focus helps explain when individual creative expression curvilinearly relates to subsequent CPE. We undertook two studies to investigate our hypotheses. First, we conducted a weekly field study with 201 technicians over five measurement occasions. The results showed that the within-person relationship between individual creative expression and subsequent CPE is curvilinear and revealed that creative self-efficacy belief mediates this curvilinear relationship. Second, we conducted a weekly study over 5 weeks with 120 R&D workers and also found a curvilinear relationship between individual creative expression and subsequent CPE (mediated by creative self-efficacy belief) at the within-person level. The results also revealed that the positive relationship was weakened and the negative relationship was strengthened when the promotion focus state was higher; the curvilinear relationship then emerges in a weaker prevention focus state. These findings improve our understanding of how and when individual creative expression influences subsequent CPE.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
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