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Less smartphone and more physical activity for a better work satisfaction, motivation, work-life balance, and mental health: An experimental intervention study

  • 0Mental Health Research and Treatment Center, Department of Psychology, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Germany; DZPG (German Center for Mental Health), partner site Bochum/Marburg, Germany.
Acta Psychologica +

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September 14, 2024

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September 14, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Reducing daily smartphone use and increasing physical activity significantly boosts employee work satisfaction and mental health. These lifestyle changes improve work-life balance and reduce stress, benefiting overall productivity.

Area Of Science

  • Occupational Health Psychology
  • Behavioral Science
  • Digital Well-being

Background

  • Employee work satisfaction and mental health are vital for organizational productivity.
  • Non-work-related smartphone use and physical activity levels can impact employee well-being.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To investigate the effects of reducing daily non-work-related smartphone use and increasing physical activity on employee work satisfaction and mental health.
  • To compare the impact of individual interventions versus a combined approach.

Main Methods

  • An experimental study with 278 employees in Germany.
  • Four groups: smartphone reduction, physical activity increase, combined intervention, and control.
  • Online surveys assessed work and mental health variables at baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up.

Main Results

  • Reducing smartphone use and the combined intervention significantly increased work satisfaction, motivation, work-life balance, and positive mental health.
  • These interventions also significantly decreased work overload, problematic smartphone use, and depressive symptoms, while enhancing sense of control.
  • All intervention groups showed significant improvements in mental health indicators.

Conclusions

  • Conscious reduction of non-work-related smartphone use, especially combined with increased physical activity, can enhance employee work satisfaction and mental health.
  • These interventions offer a time- and cost-efficient, low-threshold approach to improving employee well-being within organizations.
  • Findings suggest these strategies can complement existing training programs or serve as standalone initiatives.

Keywords:

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