Better to be optimistic, mindful, or both? The interaction between optimism, mindfulness, and task engagement

Abstract

This paper investigates the relationships between optimism, mindfulness, and task engagement. Specifically, we hypothesized that optimism, mindfulness, and their interaction would facilitate individuals' task engagement. We tested our research model in four studies: two surveys among gig workers and two experiments. The results of the two surveys among gig workers indicated that optimism predicted higher task engagement, but trait mindfulness did not, and that a multiplicative interaction existed between high optimism and high mindfulness in stimulating task engagement. Our two experiments confirmed a significant interaction between optimism and induced state mindfulness and showed that the most engaging situation is being high in both mindfulness and optimism. Although optimism predicted task engagement, the experiments indicated that the effect of the state mindfulness manipulation was above and beyond that of optimism. Finally, we discuss the nuances of the interaction between optimism and mindfulness in predicting task engagement.

Unleashing the inners strengths of University entrants

“…Mindfulness of the modular learning modality Several research has demonstrated how mindfulness can improve cognitive abilities like memory, thinking, problem-solving, and emotional equilibrium. An enhanced attention to and awareness of experience, as it occurs in the present moment, resulted in a stronger desire for the students to finish their tasks (Bunjak, Hafenbrack, Černe, & Arendt, 2022). Additionally, Henriksen, Richardson, and Shack (2020) claimed that the more aware people are of this construct and of their own mind's activities, the more capable they become of noticing and attending to creative ideas in productive ways.…”

Work engagement of online car-hailing drivers: the effects of platforms' algorithmic management

“…First, drivers' intrinsic motivation plays a dominant role in their work engagement (Hua et al. , 2020) and personal traits, such as optimism, can also promote their engagement by strengthening their orientation toward goal achievement (Bunjak et al. , 2022).…”

“…Previous studies have also identified the determinants of drivers' work engagement on online car-hailing platforms. First, drivers' intrinsic motivation plays a dominant role in their work engagement (Hua et al, 2020) and personal traits, such as optimism, can also promote their engagement by strengthening their orientation toward goal achievement (Bunjak et al, 2022). Second, the nature of gig work also affects drivers' work engagement.…”