IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/jhappi/v24y2023i3d10.1007_s10902-023-00628-4.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Honey, There´s Something on My Mind… Adverse Consequences of Negative and Positive Work Rumination on Attention to the Partner, and the Advantage of Talking About it

Author

Listed:
  • Julia Schoellbauer

    (University of Vienna)

  • Sara Tement

    (University of Maribor)

  • Christian Korunka

    (University of Vienna)

Abstract

In the contemporary 24/7 working society, the separation of work and private life is increasingly turning into an unrealizable ideal. Ruminating about work outside the work context lets work spill over into private lives and affects the dynamics of workers’ private relationships. Although negative work rumination was linked to couples’ reduced relationship satisfaction, little is known about the mechanism of action and the impact of positive work rumination. Drawing on the load theory of selective attention, we hypothesize that both negative and positive work rumination occupy attentional resources and thus reduce workers' attention to the partner on the same day. Lower levels of attention to the partner, in turn, should relate to lower levels of both partners’relationship satisfaction. However, sharing the work-related thoughts with the partner might support the resolution of the work issue the worker is ruminating about, which releases attentional resources and thus buffers the negative association between rumination and attention to the partner. We conducted a daily diary study and the findings based on 579 daily dyadic observations from 42 dual‐earner couples support the proposed cognitive spillover-crossover mechanism and the buffer mechanism of thought-sharing. We conclude that negative and positive work rumination takes up scarce attentional resources and thus jeopardizes relationship quality. However, sharing thoughts with one's partner seems to be a useful strategy for couples to maintain or even increase their relationship satisfaction in the light of work rumination.

Suggested Citation

  • Julia Schoellbauer & Sara Tement & Christian Korunka, 2023. "Honey, There´s Something on My Mind… Adverse Consequences of Negative and Positive Work Rumination on Attention to the Partner, and the Advantage of Talking About it," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 24(3), pages 917-944, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:24:y:2023:i:3:d:10.1007_s10902-023-00628-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-023-00628-4
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10902-023-00628-4
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s10902-023-00628-4?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Anik Debrot & Sebastian Siegler & Petra L. Klumb & Dominik Schoebi, 2018. "Daily Work Stress and Relationship Satisfaction: Detachment Affects Romantic Couples’ Interactions Quality," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 19(8), pages 2283-2301, December.
    2. Gerhard Meisenberg & Michael Woodley, 2015. "Gender Differences in Subjective Well-Being and Their Relationships with Gender Equality," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 16(6), pages 1539-1555, December.
    3. Oliver Weigelt & Petra Gierer & Christine J. Syrek, 2019. "My Mind is Working Overtime—Towards an Integrative Perspective of Psychological Detachment, Work-Related Rumination, and Work Reflection," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-27, August.
    4. Rajdeep Grewal & Joseph A. Cote & Hans Baumgartner, 2004. "Multicollinearity and Measurement Error in Structural Equation Models: Implications for Theory Testing," Marketing Science, INFORMS, vol. 23(4), pages 519-529, June.
    5. Carol Ryff & Burton Singer, 2008. "Know Thyself and Become What You Are: A Eudaimonic Approach to Psychological Well-Being," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 9(1), pages 13-39, January.
    6. Alfredo Rodríguez-Muñoz & Ana I. Sanz-Vergel & Mirko Antino & Evangelia Demerouti & Arnold B. Bakker, 2018. "Positive Experiences at Work and Daily Recovery: Effects on Couple’s Well-Being," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 19(5), pages 1395-1413, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Mia M. Vainio & Daiva Daukantaitė, 2016. "Grit and Different Aspects of Well-Being: Direct and Indirect Relationships via Sense of Coherence and Authenticity," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 17(5), pages 2119-2147, October.
    2. repec:thr:techub:1007:y:2020:i:1:p:214-225 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Alfredo Rodríguez-Muñoz & Gerardo Montes-Maroto & Mirko Antino & Francisco Gil-Rodríguez & Paula Ruíz-Zorrilla, 2021. "Mindful You, Relaxed and Beneficial Me: A Daily Diary Study of Coworker Dyads," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(2), pages 767-786, February.
    4. Mahabubur Rahman & M. Ángeles Rodríguez-Serrano & Mary Lambkin, 2019. "Brand equity and firm performance: the complementary role of corporate social responsibility," Journal of Brand Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 26(6), pages 691-704, November.
    5. Soo Yon Yi & Aimee Jeehae Kim, 2023. "Implementation and Strategies of Community Music Activities for Well-Being: A Scoping Review of the Literature," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-34, January.
    6. Petra Dickel & Monika Sienknecht & Jacob Hörisch, 2021. "The early bird catches the worm: an empirical analysis of imprinting in social entrepreneurship," Journal of Business Economics, Springer, vol. 91(2), pages 127-150, March.
    7. Lisa A. Newland & Daniel Mourlam & Gabrielle Strouse, 2018. "A Phenomenological Exploration of the Role of Digital Technology and Media in Children’s Subjective Well-Being," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 11(5), pages 1563-1583, October.
    8. Agnieszka Krugielka & Grazyna Bartkowiak & Sebastian Dama, 2021. "Functioning of Academic Teachers in the Conditions of the COVID-19 Epidemy in Poland in 2020 (Qualitative Test on the Basis of Self-Assessment)," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(Special 5), pages 269-287.
    9. Lee, Ruby P. & Johnson, Jean L. & Grewal, Rajdeep, 2008. "Understanding the antecedents of collateral learning in new product alliances," International Journal of Research in Marketing, Elsevier, vol. 25(3), pages 192-200.
    10. You-Kyung Lee, 2021. "Impacts of Digital Technostress and Digital Technology Self-Efficacy on Fintech Usage Intention of Chinese Gen Z Consumers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-15, April.
    11. Ekaterina Oparina & Sorawoot Srisuma, 2022. "Analyzing Subjective Well-Being Data with Misclassification," Journal of Business & Economic Statistics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 40(2), pages 730-743, April.
    12. Kee-Young Kwahk & Byoungsoo Kim, 2017. "Effects of social media on consumers’ purchase decisions: evidence from Taobao," Service Business, Springer;Pan-Pacific Business Association, vol. 11(4), pages 803-829, December.
    13. Horstmann, Felix, 2017. "Measuring the shopper's attitude toward the point of sale display: Scale development and validation," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 112-123.
    14. Antonella Delle Fave & Ingrid Brdar & Teresa Freire & Dianne Vella-Brodrick & Marié Wissing, 2011. "The Eudaimonic and Hedonic Components of Happiness: Qualitative and Quantitative Findings," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 100(2), pages 185-207, January.
    15. Zhoulei Xiang & Shen Tan & Qian Kang & Baoshan Zhang & Lei Zhu, 2019. "Longitudinal Effects of Examination Stress on Psychological Well-Being and a Possible Mediating Role of Self-Esteem in Chinese High School Students," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 20(1), pages 283-305, January.
    16. Annamaria Di Fabio & Maureen E. Kenny, 2018. "Intrapreneurial Self-Capital: A Key Resource for Promoting Well-Being in a Shifting Work Landscape," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-11, August.
    17. Trong Tuan Luu, 2019. "CSR and Customer Value Co-creation Behavior: The Moderation Mechanisms of Servant Leadership and Relationship Marketing Orientation," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 155(2), pages 379-398, March.
    18. Bach Q. Ho & Kunio Shirahada, 2022. "Older People’s Knowledge Creation Motivations for Sustainable Communities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    19. Mittal, Divya & Agrawal, Shiv Ratan, 2016. "Price transparency reflects assurance and reliability," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 31(C), pages 43-51.
    20. Gina Haines & Christopher Klopper, 2015. "Using Documentary Film for Authentic Representation of Phenomenological Research," Journal of Social Science Studies, Macrothink Institute, vol. 2(1), pages 250-263, January.
    21. Ruiz-Frau, A. & Krause, T. & Marbà , N., 2018. "The use of sociocultural valuation in sustainable environmental management," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 29(PA), pages 158-167.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:24:y:2023:i:3:d:10.1007_s10902-023-00628-4. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.