Staying focused on work and satisfied with the job in times of pandemic: The power of everyday routines

Bettina S. WIESE, Wai Kai HOU, Ruth NOPPENEY, Tsz Wai LI

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlespeer-review

Abstract

We explored the role of perceived coronavirus disease (COVID-19) threats and people’s sustainment of primary (e.g., personal hygiene) and secondary (e.g., exercising) routines for two indicators of individual functioning at work, that is, job satisfaction and work concentration. We conducted an online questionnaire study with Hong Kong and German employees (N = 576). Using Structural Equation Modeling, we found support for secondary daily routines to be positively associated with job satisfaction and work concentration. In contrast, threats from the COVID-19 pandemic did not show negative associations with work outcomes. But economic threats were negatively associated with secondary routines, and had an indirect (negative) effect on job satisfaction mediated by these routines. A deeper look into the specific secondary activities revealed that sustaining exercising routines (e.g., regularly taking a walk) was particularly relevant. Our results might be used for designing programs to support people in sticking or returning to beneficial everyday activities. Copyright © 2022 American Psychological Association.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)166-170
JournalInternational Journal of Stress Management
Volume29
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2022

Citation

Wiese, B. S., Hou, W.-K., Noppeney, R., & Li, T. W. (2022). Staying focused on work and satisfied with the job in times of pandemic: The power of everyday routines. International Journal of Stress Management, 29(2), 166-170. doi: 10.1037/str0000241

Keywords

  • COVID-19
  • Daily routines
  • Job satisfaction
  • Work concentration

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