1) The study examined which work activities and job characteristics predict experiences of flow, a state of intense enjoyment and immersion, among line managers. 2) Using experience sampling methods, the researchers found that planning, problem-solving, and evaluation activities predicted transient flow states for line managers in elder care. 3) More stable job characteristics like role clarity and influence were not found to predict flow at work.

1. J Occup Health Psychol. 2010 Apr;15(2):180-90.
Predicting flow at work: investigating the activities and job
characteristics that predict flow states at work.
Nielsen K, Cleal B.
Source
National Research Centre for Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark. kmn@nrcwe.dk.
Abstract
Flow (a state of consciousness where people become totally immersed in an activity and enjoy it
intensely) has been identified as a desirable state with positive effects for employee well-being and
innovation at work. Flow has been studied using both questionnaires and Experience Sampling Method
(ESM). In this study, we used a newly developed 9-item flow scale in an ESM study combined with a
questionnaire to examine the predictors of flow at two levels: the activities (brainstorming, planning,
problem solving and evaluation) associated with transient flow states and the more stable job
characteristics (role clarity, influence and cognitive demands). Participants were 58 line managers from
two companies in Denmark; a private accountancy firm and a public elder care organization. We found
that line managers in elder care experienced flow more often than accountancy line managers, and
activities such as planning, problem solving, and evaluation predicted transient flow states. The more
stable job characteristics included in this study were not, however, found to predict flow at work.
Copyright 2010 APA, all rights reserved.
PMID:
20364915
[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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