Physical activity buffers the effects of work-family conflict on work engagement through mastery recovery experience

More Physical Activity, More Work Engagement? A Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 Study

“… 60 , 61 Additionally, LTPA promotes a positive recovery experience that buffers the effect of work-and-family conflict on work engagement. 14 One study reported that employees who exercise regularly tend to have higher levels of vigor during physical exercise, which is linked to high well-being at work. 62 Furthermore, physical activities offer a way to satisfy psychological demands, such as the need for competence and relatedness.…”

“…Future studies should examine the association between PA and work engagement longitudinally. The association between PA and work engagement is probably quite complex, since several mediating and moderating factors such as psychological detachment or sense of belonging are involved 24 , 43 , 40 , 58 , 60 , 61 in the link between PA and work engagement, which should be examined further.…”

“…According to Job Demands and Resources (JD-R)—model, the positive physical, psychological, social, and organizational aspects of jobs must be considered to promote work engagement.5 In addition to work and organizational characteristics, positive extra-work factors, such as leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), may be relevant for work engagement. 14 The concept of LTPA includes both intentional physical exercise and normal daily activities such as playing games or carrying out household chores that require energy expenditure. 15 So far, the potential effect of higher LTPA on work engagement has received little attention, although it is known to be a major determinant of perceived health.…”

“… 27 , 35 Additionally, LTPA fosters psychological detachment from work and job recovery that prevents job stress responses and mental disorders in occupational settings 36 – 38 and may result in an experience of wellbeing at work 39 and even work engagement. 40 PA boosts selfesteem, 41 optimism 42 and positive emotions 43 that are shown to be essential personal resources related to work engagement. 44 …”

The Effects of Strain-Based Work–Parenting Conflict on Dual Income Couples’ Energy

“…Working parents may experience recovery when they psychologically distance themselves from work [ 54 , 64 , 65 ]. They may also experience recovery through mindfulness, exercise, and verbalizing their emotions [ 54 , 64 , 66 ]. The role of choice may also be important; if parents can minimize household activities (e.g., cooking and cleaning) on days they do not want to do those activities, then they may increase their recovery [ 67 ].…”