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Interest as a Moderator in the Relationship Between Challenge/Skills Balance and Flow at Work: An Analysis at Within-Individual Level

Author

Listed:
  • Céline Bricteux

    (University of Barcelona)

  • Jose Navarro

    (University of Barcelona)

  • Lucía Ceja

    (University of Navarra)

  • Guillaume Fuerst

    (Université Paris V: René Descartes)

Abstract

Considering flow as a non-ergodic process (i.e. non-homogeneous across individuals and non-stationary over time) that happens at the within-individual level, in this research we work with Bakker’s model that propose flow as made up by three components: intrinsic motivation, enjoyment, and absorption. Taking into account that flow theory can be considered as an intrinsic motivation theory, and the recent proposals about the need to distinguish between pre-conditions of flow and the flow experience itself, we look at interest as a moderator between the challenge/skills balance and the experience of flow, rather than a component of the flow experience. A total of 3640 recordings were collected from a sample of 58 workers using an experience sampling method (several registers a day, during 21 working days). The data was analyzed using regression techniques in each participant (i.e. at within-individual level). Our work tries to respond to the following two research questions: Will interest play a moderating role in the relationship between challenge/skills balance and flow? Will a non-linear model (cusp catastrophe model) better explain the relationship among challenge/skills balance, interest, and flow? The results suggest that our hypotheses were correct: including interest as moderator better explains the relationship between challenge/skills balance and flow in comparison to a model without moderation (R2 values change from 0.33 to 0.50). Additionally, carrying out the analysis following non-linear techniques explained more variance as well (R2 = 0.67), and this increment was significant. These results support the idea that interest should be considered as a key precondition for the appearance of flow, and this relationship is non-linear. We could say that these findings are exemplary in the field and brings up questions for their application in further research.

Suggested Citation

  • Céline Bricteux & Jose Navarro & Lucía Ceja & Guillaume Fuerst, 2017. "Interest as a Moderator in the Relationship Between Challenge/Skills Balance and Flow at Work: An Analysis at Within-Individual Level," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 18(3), pages 861-880, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:18:y:2017:i:3:d:10.1007_s10902-016-9755-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-016-9755-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Marisa Salanova & Arnold Bakker & Susana Llorens, 2006. "Flow at Work: Evidence for an Upward Spiral of Personal and Organizational Resources," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 7(1), pages 1-22, March.
    2. Grasman, Raoul & van der Maas, Han L.J. & Wagenmakers, Eric-Jan, 2009. "Fitting the Cusp Catastrophe in R: A cusp Package Primer," Journal of Statistical Software, Foundation for Open Access Statistics, vol. 32(i08).
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    1. Ferdiye Çobanoğulları & Merve Çıldır, 2024. "Exploring the relationship between flow experience and passive learning resistance in learning German," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Lise A. Oortmerssen & Marjolein C. J. Caniëls & Marcel F. Assen, 2020. "Coping with Work Stressors and Paving the Way for Flow: Challenge and Hindrance Demands, Humor, and Cynicism," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(6), pages 2257-2277, August.
    3. Marcin Wojtasiński & Przemysław Tużnik & Tomasz Jankowski & Andrzej Cudo, 2025. "Analyzing Skill-Challenge Interaction and Flow State: Insights From Response Surface Analysis Among Board Gamers," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 26(3), pages 1-25, March.
    4. Karen Bartholomeyczik & Michael T. Knierim & Christof Weinhardt & Gabriele Oettingen & Ulrich Ebner-Priemer, 2024. "Capturing Flow Experiences in Everyday Life: A Comparison of Recall and Momentary Measurement," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 25(6), pages 1-26, August.

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