Conference Proceedings

2009 Postgraduate Occupational Psychology Conference

Conference Venue: Hilton Hotel, Blackpool
Postgraduate Occupational Psychology Section

From: 13 Jan 2009
To: 14 Jan 2009

 
Peer-Reviewed

Do perfectionists find it hard to psychologically detach from work?

P. Coan
City University

P. Flaxman
City University


'Recharging the batteries' after a hard day at work is becoming increasingly acknowledged as a means of fostering a healthier and more productive lifestyle (Sonnentag, 2003). Continuous exposure to daily work stressors have frequently been shown to have a negative impact upon both employee health and well-being as well as job performance (Ganster & Schaubroeck, 1991; Sonnentag & Frese, 2003; Fritz & Sonnentag, 2005; Demerouti, Bakker & Bulters, 2004; Jex, 1998). Whilst research in the last decade has begun to address the area of work/non-work life balance, the topic of recovery and more specifically how individuals differ in their ability to recover from work has received limited empirical attention (Zijlstra & Sonnentag, 2006). Data collection is still in progress but there will be a sample of around 150 full-time employees from a range of different occupations and they will complete a daily survey over three workday evenings allowing for a longitudinal design. The present study aims to explore the role of perfectionism as a key personality antecedent associated with failing to psychologically detach from work. More specifically, through multiple regression analyses, the present study expects to find negative work-related thoughts to mediate the relationship between maladaptive perfectionism and both poor well-being and poor sleep quality. In contrast, positive work-related thoughts are expected to mediate the relationship between adaptive perfectionism and both good well-being and good sleep quality. The results are currently pending but the findings are expected to extend the literature on perfectionism by uncovering key underlying cognitive mechanisms involved within the construct as well as further contributing to the existing debate surrounding whether perfectionism is a dual construct consisting of both maladaptive and adaptive qualities. The findings will also highlight key individual differences associated with recovery from work and practical implications concerning appropriate interventions will be discussed.