Work to non-work enrichment : the mediating roles of positive affect and positive work reflection

Abstract

This longitudinal study investigates mediating variables in the enrichment process between work (work engagement) and non-work experiences (work-to-life enrichment). It is hypothesized that besides positive affect, positive work reflection during leisure time is an additional, more cognitive, pathway in the enrichment process. In total, 256 full-time employees in Germany, recruited via an online survey, answered a two-wave survey with a time lag of three months. Participants were 50% male and 50% female, and were chosen regardless of whether they had a partner or children. Analysis showed that positive affect and positive work reflection mediated the relationship between work engagement and work-to-life enrichment. These findings contribute to research on the work/non-work interface by expanding the work-family enrichment model developed by Greenhaus and Powell (2006). Our results offer practical implications for employees and organizations. Specifically, the findings show how employees and organizations can foster work-to-life enrichment by promoting work engagement, positive affect and positive work reflection. This in turn should have positive implications for both the employee and the organization.