Feeling stressed but in full flow? Leader mindfulness shapes subordinates' perseverative cognition and reaction

Abstract

PurposeThis study aims to illustrate the mechanisms underlying the effect of stress on flow states in the context of a multilevel organization, in which case employees' perseverative cognition and reactions to challenge–hindrance stressors are affected by leader mindfulness.Design/methodology/approachStudy 1 employed a three-wave time-lag survey, and study 2 conducted a diary study across 10 workdays to replicate the results of study 1. Multilevel structural equation modeling and Monte Carlo simulation were performed using Mplus 8.0 software to test all hypotheses.FindingsProblem-solving pondering transmits the nonlinear effect of challenge stressors on flow, and affective rumination mediates the negative effect of hindrance stressors on flow. Leader mindfulness amplifies the tendency of followers to ruminate on the positive aspects of challenge stressors, consequently increasing their positive reactions and flow. Although leader mindfulness fails to influence followers to ruminate less on hindrance stressors, it negates the harmful effect of affective rumination on the flow experience.Originality/valueThis study is one of the first to examine the associations between stressor types and flow in the workplace. The authors also develop a new theory that highlights the ability of leader mindfulness to shape subordinates' stress, cognitions and reactions through social modeling and the authors identify the boundaries of its beneficial effects.

Guest editorial: Mindfulness and relational systems in organizations: enabling content, context and process

“…Leader mindfulness shapes subordinates’ perseverative cognition and reaction,” also focuses on leaders. Xie and Feng (2024) found that problem-solving pondering transmits the nonlinear impact of challenge stressors on flow, whereby affective rumination mediates the negative effect of hindrance stressors on flow. In addition, they found that leader mindfulness increases subordinates’ inclination to ruminate concerning the positive aspects of challenge stressors, thereby enhancing their positive reactions and flow.…”

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“…First, our study extends the emerging research on flow experience at work by building on a model that spans different fields and cycles. The literature has separately investigated either the prerequisites or consequences of flow (e.g., Csikszentmihalyi, 2014;Feng, Han, & Terpstra Tong, 2023;Nakamura & Csikszentmihalyi, 2009, 2014Van Oortmerssen et al, 2020;Xie & Feng, 2023), but it has not examined the potentially reciprocal relationship even though the basic elements of the JDR model and the COR theory (i.e., challenging demands and job resources) have indicated such a possibility (Bakker et al, 2023;Hobfoll et al, 2018;Philip, 2023;Philip & Kosmidou, 2023). As a result, researchers still largely regard flow as a fragile, fleeting, and exclusive experience.…”

“…First, we expand the nomological network of flow in occupational settings as studies have mainly focused on the antecedents or consequences of flow (e.g., Feng, Han, & Terpstra Tong, 2023;Fullagar & Kelloway, 2009;Peifer & Zipp, 2019;Xie & Feng, 2023), but by integrating two-sided literature to expound on the work-and nonwork-related antecedents of flow, we develop a new understanding of this construct's dynamic evolution and development. Moreover, this study also tests the reciprocal association between nonworking factors and flow, which extends the academic dialogue of this concept from the workplace to the home (Debus et al, 2014;Demerouti et al, 2012).…”