Recovery experiences during vacation and their association with job stressors and health

Pascale Hächler; Diana Pereira; Elfering Achim

doi:10.24310/espsiescpsi.v10i1.13188

Authors

Pascale Hächler Department of Work and Organizational Psychology. Institute of Psychology University of Bern Switzerland
Diana Pereira Department of Work and Organizational Psychology. Institute of Psychology University of Bern Switzerland
Elfering Achim Department of Work and Organizational Psychology. Institute of Psychology University of Bern Switzerland

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24310/espsiescpsi.v10i1.13188

Keywords:

occupational stress, time pressure, psychosomatic complaints, detachment, relaxation

Abstract

Vacations offer opportunities for recovery from work-related stress. However, little is known about the impact of job stressors on recovery experiences during vacation, such as psychological detachment and relaxation. This study investigated detachment and relaxation to mediate the influence of job stressors prior to vacation on recovery during vacation. A total of 136 employees from various occupations completed a questionnaire on their ability to relax and mentally detach from work during a recent vacation. Participants rated perceived time pressure and social exclusion at work prior to their vacation as well as any psychosomatic health complaints or sleep problems during vacation. The results of bootstrap mediation analysis confirmed the mediating role of recovery experiences. The association between job stressors and sleep problems was fully mediated by detachment and relaxation, whereas the association between social exclusion and psychosomatic complaints was fully mediated by relaxation. Furthermore, relaxation partially mediated the association between time pressure and psychosomatic complaints. Not only should the ability of employees to relax and mentally detach be fostered, but job stressors should be reduced in order to allow employees to reach optimal recovery during vacation.

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