Subjective Importance of Work and Time Allocation: Relationship with Subjective Well-Being and Work Engagement Under Different Job Demands

Abstract

Background. Investigating imbalance between the subjective importance of different life spheres and the time and energy devoted to them is a common task in counseling and psychotherapy. The aim of the study is to reveal the relationship between the the subjective importance of work and the time / effort devoted to it, with general well-being, work engagement and motivation under different levels of job demands. Procedure and methods. 286 students assessed the importance of five life spheres (work / study, family, personal life, friends, health) and the time and energy given to them, then filled Self-Regulation of Behavior Questionnaire, a modified version of the Action / State Orientation Questionnaire and Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire. 1,200 people assessed spheres of life using the same approach, then filled Satisfaction With Life Scale, Scale for Positive And Negative Experiences, the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, a brief version of the Emotional Burnout Scale, the Workaholism Scale, Professional Motivation Questionnaire, Job Demands and Resources Questionnaire. Results and conclusions. Positive emotions, work engagement and intrinsic motivation are higher both in those reporting greater subjective importance of work, and in those reporting greater contribution of time and effort to this work (β=0,12-0,42, p<0,01). However, the time and energy devoted to work is less strongly associated with positive emotions, work engagement and intrinsic motivation under high and uncoordinated job demands (β=-0,14 — -0,09, p<0,05). Life satisfaction is higher, and negative emotions and emotional burnout at work are lower in those reporting higher importance of work, but this correlation is weaker for those who spend a lot of time and energy on work (β=-0,15 — -0,09, p<0,01). A greater contribution of effort and time to work, but not subjective importance of work, is also associated with workaholism (β=0,29, p<0,01).