ABSTRACT
This study examines why, and when, public service motivation (PSM) has spillover effects from employees’ work lives into their personal lives. Drawing on a dual conceptualization of meaningfulness, we propose and examine the relationship of PSM with meaningfulness of work through processes of realization and justification. Analyses of 253 matched dyads of policing employees and spouses support the proposed mediation effect of meaningfulness of work from PSM to job satisfaction, individual initiative (i.e. task-related behaviours after work), and psychological detachment from work in non-work time. Job autonomy is found to compensate for PSM in predicting meaningfulness and these outcomes.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Notes
2. Please refer to Appendix 1 for a full version of measures used in this study.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Yuyan Zheng
Dr Yuyan Zheng is a postdoctoral researcher at the Policing Research Unit at Durham University Business School, United Kingdom. Her research focusses on leadership in organizations, especially ethical and authoritarian leadership theories.
Chia-Huei Wu
Dr Chia-Huei Wu is an associate professor at Durham University Business School. His research in organizational behaviour focusses on proactive behaviour, personality development, work design, and employees’ subjective well-being.
Les Graham
Dr Les Graham is an associate professor at Durham University Business School, United Kingdom. He leads the Policing Research Unit at Durham University Business School. His research focusses on the impact of leadership on individuals’ well-being, engagement, and ethical behaviour.