![Sample our Behavioral Sciences journals, sign in here to start your access, latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/110801/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Behavioral-Sciences.jpg"})
ABSTRACT
On the basis of activation theory and the challenge-hindrance demands model, this study was conducted to clarify the functional form (linear vs. curvilinear) of the within-persons relations of time pressure with vigour and absorption. Further, we investigated whether these relations would be moderated by time-varying job control. A total of 52 full-time employees (44% female) participated in the study, which included two assessments per day over the course of 2 work weeks. Our analyses confirmed an inverted U-shaped within-persons association between state time pressure and state vigour and a moderator effect of job control on the curvilinear relation. By contrast, state time pressure and state absorption displayed only a positive linear relation. This study demonstrates that within-persons high levels of time pressure may impair employees’ energy levels but still promote their absorption at work.
Acknowledgement
The authors would like to thank Silke Schütten for her valuable help in collecting the data.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Notes
1. The second week differed slightly from the first one: In the second week, employees received an audio file (with a 3-min maximum) after the noon assessment that was intended to serve as a microintervention to enhance mood. As the audio file did not yield any significant effects on any of the four variables relevant in this study (t values ranged from 0.01, 95% CI [−0.14, 0.14] for absorption to −1.48, 95% CI [−0.34, 0.05] for time pressure), all data points have been included so that more power would be available for detecting curvilinear within-persons relations.