Personality differences in flow experience during collaborative problem solving in work teams

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between team members' personality traits and their perceived individual and team flow in collaborative problem-solving (CPS) contexts. Flow, a state of optimal experience, enhances motivation, performance, and satisfaction, benefiting both individuals and teams. Using multilevel regression analysis, we examined data from 60 participants across 15 work teams performing two CPS tasks, assessing individual and team flow separately. Linear regression revealed no noteworthy links between personality domains and individual flow. However, curvilinear analyses revealed various insights, with U-shaped relationships observed for Extraversion, indicating that individuals with either low or high levels of Extraversion tend to experience higher individual flow than those with moderate levels of this trait. Altruism/Agreeableness, while unrelated to individual flow, showed significant linear relationships with various team flow dimensions, including open communication and sense of unity. For team flow as well, curvilinear analyses revealed similar U-shaped relationships, mainly observed for Extraversion. The findings illustrate the nuanced role of personality in CPS and highlight the value of exploring curvilinear relationships besides linear relationships. Future research should examine the mechanisms underlying these relationships and their generalizability across contexts.