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Flow at Work: Evidence for an Upward Spiral of Personal and Organizational Resources*

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Abstract

The present 2-wave study among 258 secondary school teachers investigates the relationship between personal and organizational resources on the one hand, and work-related flow on the other hand. On the basis of Hobfoll’s (1988) conservation of resources theory, Bandura’ social cognitive theory (1997; 2001), and Fredrickson’s (1998) “broaden-and-build” theory of positive emotions, we formulated two hypotheses: (1) personal resources (i.e., self-efficacy beliefs) and organizational resources (including social support climate and clear goals) facilitate work-related flow (work absorption, work enjoyment, and intrinsic work motivation); and (2) work-related flow has a positive influence on personal and organizational resources. The results of a series of structural equation modeling analyses offer clear support for both hypotheses. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Jaume I University, Campus Riu Sec, s/n, 12017, Castellón, Spain

    Marisa Salanova

Authors
  1. Marisa Salanova
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  2. Arnold B. Bakker
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  3. Susana Llorens
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Correspondence to Marisa Salanova.

Additional information

*This research was supported by a grant from the Bancaixa Foundation (#11232.01/1) and the Spanish Ministry of Science & Technology (CICYT #SEC2000-1031).

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Salanova, M., Bakker, A.B. & Llorens, S. Flow at Work: Evidence for an Upward Spiral of Personal and Organizational Resources*. J Happiness Stud 7, 1–22 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-005-8854-8

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