Background : This study investigates short-term lagged relationships between work demands, control and fatigue. A second research question addresses if objectively- and subjectively-measured scores of demands and control converge. Based on the Job-Demand-Control-Support Model, strain and buffer effects are analysed by testing different matching qualities of demand and control variables. Good matches are comprised of work intensity and time latitude. Bad matches are comprised of work complexity and time latitude. Method : The method of this study combined observations with adapted survey scales into a three-waves repeated measures design, over the course of 2 months. Results : Based on the data of 25 participants, work intensity predicted increased need for recovery and decreased psychological detachment from work and thus supported the strain hypothesis as a central result. The good match of work intensity and time latitude revealed consistent buffering. The bad match of work complexity and time latitude did not exhibit consistent buffering. These interaction effects indicate that matching quality affects buffering a second central result. Furthermore, work complexity showed effects not aligned with the strain hypothesis and indicated a reducing main effect on need for recovery which requires additional discussion and investigation. The comparison of objective and subjective scores revealed high overall convergence which differed between the factors work intensity, work complexity time latitude. This third central result showed that the convergence of objective and subjective scores differs between the kind of working condition that is measured. Discussion : The findings are discussed regarding prior research, directions of effects and mechanisms of action. While comparisons are limited due to differences in research designs and sample sizes, this study adds to the insights on buffering effects and extends the matching-principle. It also adds to the body of research about short-term strain effects and makes an attempt at testing convergence between objective and subjective scores of working conditions. Implications for future research are given in an attempt to progress the current findings and their meaning for practitioners is highlighted.
KeywordsJob-Demand-Control-Support ModelStrain HypothesisBuffer HypothesisNeed for RecoveryPsychological Detachment from Work
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