Workaholism and Daily Happiness:A Day Reconstruction Study

Prof. Arnold B. Bakker

Day Reconstruction Method

• Assess how people spend their time and how they feel

• Reconstruction of activities and experiences of the preceding day

• Reduces recall bias, DRM produces similar results as Experience Sampling

• Erasmus University easy to use internet application for participants: www.gelukswijzer.nl

Kahneman et al. 2004. Science, 306, p.1776-1780.

Happiness diary

Happiness diary

Happiness diary

Happiness diary

Dynamics of happiness within personsD

aily

Hap

pin

ess

Person X Person Y

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Day

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Day

Workaholism

Happiness Recovery

Research Model

Activitiesafter work

Person-level

Day-level

Sample

• Data collection via web questionnaire

(general and DRM), Lottery of IPods

• 85 employees from several occupations

• Filled in diary during 9 working days

• 57% male

• Mean age: 38 years

• Well-educated

• Workaholism

• Momentary happiness during activities (DRM)

• Intentional activities:– Physical (exercise, sports)– Social (visit friends, cultural

activities)– Relaxation (watching TV, listening to music) – Cognitive (online gaming, learning)– Routine (preparing meals, washing)– Work-related(working at home)

Measures

Workaholism

Happiness Recovery

ML Findings

Person-level

Day-level

• Physical +

• Social +

• Relaxation –

• Routine

• Cognitive

• Work-related –

+

Workaholism

Happiness Recovery

ML Findings

Person-level

Day-level

• Physical +

• Social +

• Relaxation –

• Routine

• Cognitive

• Work-related –

+

Workaholism work-related activities

Workaholics working during leisure time

3

3,5

4

4,5

5

Low High

Low WA

High WA

Work-related Activities

Hap

pin

ess

Workaholics working during leisure time

2

2,5

3

3,5

Low High

Low WA

High WA

Work-related Activities

Co

gn

. Liv

elin

ess

Workaholics who exercise

2,5

3

3,5

4

4,5

Low High

Low WA

High WA

Physical Activities

Hap

pin

ess

Workaholics who exercise

3

3,5

4

4,5

5

Low High

Low WA

High WA

Physical Activities

Rec

ove

ry

Conclusion

• Daily activities determine happiness, and indirectly affect recovery

• Workaholic employees choose wrong activities during leisure time

• Work-related activities are ‘bad’ - particularly for workaholics

• Sports/exercise is ‘good’ - particularly for workaholics