When and How Proactivity Impacts Vitality

Abstract: Employee proactivity has been shown to have beneficial and detrimental effects on employees’ well-being. Drawing on self-determination theory, the present research identifies a moderator shaping these effects and sheds light on the process through which proactivity benefits well-being. Results of a time-lagged study with two measurement points ( N = 120) separated by a biweekly interval revealed that the relationship between proactivity and vitality depends on the level of autonomous motivation. Specifically, when autonomous motivation for proactivity was high, there was a positive association, when autonomous motivation was low, the relationship was negative. Notably, the direct effect of proactivity on vitality 2 weeks later was nonsignificant. A laboratory experiment ( N = 68) replicated the positive effect of autonomously motivated proactivity on vitality and identified autonomy need satisfaction as the mechanism through which this beneficial effect unfolds. Our research emphasizes the role of autonomous motivation in shaping the well-being outcomes of proactivity.