Exploring the links between work characteristics, work-related rumination, and well-being: a systematic review

Abstract

Rumination is a global phenomenon in fields such as clinical psychology and organizational behavior that refers to having recurring thoughts about a particular theme and may have a detrimental impact on well-being. As a response style to the work environment, work-related rumination (WRR) is a thinking pattern that concentrates an individual's attention on a source of discomfort, resulting in stress and anxiety, which impairs well-being. In addition to a review of studies on work characteristics, WRR, and well-being, this article identifies gaps in the literature between the definitions of WRR, the classifications of work characteristics, and approaches to well-being. This study aims to elucidate how the variables in question have been addressed in various studies and to evaluate this accumulated knowledge to derive a comprehensive summary. The sample included 25 research papers. The systematic review identified job-related, contextual, and interpersonal factors regarding work environments that affect WRR and well-being. The findings indicate that WRR is an essential mechanism in the relationship between work characteristics and and offers suggestions for future research. In addition, this study is considered valuable for researchers and practitioners such as human resources professionals and organizational/workplace psychologists by exploring the theoretical underpinnings of these factors.