Mindful multitasking: Disentangling the effect of polychronicity on work-home conflict and life satisfaction

J Soc Psychol. 2019;159(4):497-502. doi: 10.1080/00224545.2018.1523783. Epub 2018 Oct 1.

Abstract

This study seeks to disentangle the effect of polychronicity on work-home conflict, home-work conflict, and life satisfaction, by evaluating mindfulness as a moderator. We propose that mindfulness moderates the relationship between polychronicity and work-home and home-work conflict such that the relationship will be negative when mindfulness is high and positive when mindfulness is low. Additionally, we propose that mindfulness moderates the relationship between polychronicity and life satisfaction such that the relationship will be positive when mindfulness is high and negative when mindfulness is low. A total of 138 academics throughout India completed measures of polychronicity, mindfulness, life satisfaction, and work-to-home and home-to-work conflict scales. The moderation findings illustrate that higher levels of mindfulness enhance the effects of polychronicity.

Keywords: Home–work conflict; life satisfaction; mindfulness; polychronicity; work–home conflict.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Conflict, Psychological*
  • Employment / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • India
  • Male
  • Mindfulness / methods*
  • Personal Satisfaction*
  • Stress, Psychological / psychology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires