Urban, Leon Mac (2022) Dealing with Work Interruptions: The Moderating Role of Coping on Task Performance. Master thesis, Psychology.
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Abstract
Workflow interruptions are frequent daily stressors at work, often related negatively to performance. In the literature, two issues remain unsolved: First, some researchers called to consider negative quadratic effects of interruptions on performance. Second, while previous research has studied some strategies with which employees may reduce the performance decline under interruptions, such as time management skills, further strategies were unknown. Problem- and emotion- focused coping represent potent strategies to deal with stressors. The present paper studies to what extent workflow interruptions relate negatively to individual task performance, both linearly and quadratically, and whether problem-focused and emotionfocused coping behaviors can ameliorate the anticipated negative relationship. The hypotheses are tested in an aggregated sample of a previously conducted daily diary pilot study with 37 employees of a Dutch company. Workflow interruptions did not relate to individual task performance, neither linearly, nor quadratically. Problem-focused and emotion-focused coping behaviors did not moderate the relationship. Problem-focused coping was found to correlate moderately with individual task performance. We discuss theoretical implications and advise against drawing practical conclusions on the basis of the current paper. Future research could continue studying interruptions’ relation to performance, especially quadratically, considering potential strategies – coping and other behaviors to deal with the interruptions – of the interrupted person, in a within-person approach. Better understanding the study area of work interruptions may provide useful economically and for employee health.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Keller, A.C. |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | Work, Organizational and Personnel Psychology (WOP) [Master Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 11 May 2022 14:05 |
| Last Modified: | 11 May 2022 14:05 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/449 |
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