The mediating and moderating role of affective rumination between work interruptions and well-being

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Zoupanou, Zoi^{a; *} | Rydstedt, Leif W. ^b

Affiliations: [a] Department of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK | [b] Norwegian Inland University of Applied Sciences, HHS Lillehammer, Norway

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Zoi Zoupanou, Sanctuary Group, 271 Garratt Lane, London SW18 4DU, UK. E-mail: [email protected].

Abstract: BACKGROUND:The purpose of this study was to examine whether physical health and well-being are affected by work rumination and the role of work interruptions as job events. It was hypothesized that stressful work interruptions, would be related to affective rumination, psychosomatic symptoms and poorer general health. OBJECTIVE:To determine the role of work rumination in the relationship between work interruptions, physical and general well-being. METHODS:Self-reports of distressing work interruptions, psychosomatic symptoms and general health data were gathered from employees (N = 139) from diverse occupational groups. RESULTS:Affective rumination acted as a partial mediator (β= 0.37) and moderator (β= 0.24) in the relationship between stressful work interruptions and psychosomatic symptoms. As a mediator affective rumination explains 34.8% of the effect of work interruptions on psychosomatic symptoms. CONCLUSION:Affective rumination about work hinders psycho-physiological recovery, and such an effect relates to stressful work interruptions. Implications for future research are discussed.

Keywords: Affective rumination, interruptions, well-being

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-192890

Journal: Work, vol. 62, no. 4, pp. 553-561, 2019