Problem solving and affect as mechanisms linking daily mindfulness to task performance and job satisfaction
Danielle N Forjan1, Michelle R Tuckey1, Yiqiong Li2
1Centre for Workplace Excellence, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Summary
Daily mindfulness boosts job satisfaction through positive emotions and enhances task performance via confidence in problem-solving. These findings highlight key daily mechanisms of mindfulness at work.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Organizational Behavior
- Workplace Well-being
Background:
- Growing evidence links mindfulness to positive work outcomes.
- Limited research has explored the daily mechanisms underlying this connection.
- Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing effective workplace interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the daily relationships between mindfulness and job satisfaction.
- To examine the mediating role of affect (specifically high-activation positive affect) in the mindfulness-job satisfaction link.
- To explore the relationship between daily mindfulness and task performance, mediated by problem-solving confidence.
Main Methods:
- Employed a daily diary study design with 57 employees.
- Collected baseline survey data and five daily diary entries.
- Utilized multilevel modeling to analyze the data.
Main Results:
- Increased daily mindfulness was associated with greater daily job satisfaction, mediated by high-activation positive affect.
- Increased daily mindfulness was also linked to higher self-reported task performance, mediated by problem-solving confidence.
- Low-activation positive affect and negative affect did not mediate the relationship between mindfulness and job satisfaction.
Conclusions:
- High-activation positive affect and problem-solving confidence are significant daily mechanisms through which mindfulness influences work-related outcomes.
- This study provides empirical support for both affective and cognitive pathways of state mindfulness at work.
- Findings can inform the development of daily mindfulness practices and targeted interventions to improve employee well-being and performance.
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