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The Hidden Cost of Decision-Making Autonomy at Work: How Task Reflexivity and Construal Level Induce Mental Fatigue
Hun Whee Lee1, Zhenyu Liao2, Henry R Young3
1The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin
|April 16, 2025
Summary
Daily decision-making autonomy can cause mental fatigue by increasing task reflexivity. This effect is stronger in employees with a low trait construal level, challenging traditional views on autonomy and well-being.
Area of Science:
- Organizational Psychology
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Traditional views suggest decision-making autonomy boosts employee well-being.
- Emerging evidence indicates potential negative cognitive consequences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cognitive mechanisms linking daily decision-making autonomy to mental fatigue.
- To examine the moderating role of trait construal level in this relationship.
Main Methods:
- Two experience sampling studies were conducted in the United States and China.
- The studies integrated self-regulation theory and construal-level theory.
- Data were analyzed to assess the indirect effects of autonomy on fatigue via task reflexivity.
Main Results:
- Daily decision-making autonomy was found to trigger task reflexivity.
- Task reflexivity significantly predicted next-day mental fatigue.
- The indirect effect was stronger for employees with a low trait construal level.
Conclusions:
- Decision-making autonomy's negative impact on well-being is indirect, mediated by task reflexivity.
- Trait construal level moderates this effect, highlighting individual differences.
- The findings challenge the universal positive impact of autonomy and emphasize cognitive load.
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