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Trajectories of psychological detachment over the weekend: Investigating antecedents and outcomes.

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study examined whether there are distinct trajectories of psychological detachment from work over the weekend and how these trajectories relate to fatigue, sleep impairment, and engagement at the start of the following week. It also examined weekly fluctuations in supplemental work and problem-solving conversations as potential predictors of different trajectories. A sample of 153 employees reported their daily levels of detachment at bedtime from Friday to Sunday across up to four weekends, yielding a total of 421 weekends. Supplemental work and problem-solving conversations were assessed on Fridays, while fatigue and sleep impairment were measured on Monday mornings, and engagement on Mondays after work. Latent class growth analysis identified three distinct trajectories of detachment: (a) increasing high detachment (49%), (b) increasing medium detachment (35%), and (c) consistent low detachment (16%). While weekly fluctuations in problem-solving conversations only distinguished between the increasing high and consistent low trajectories, employees' average levels in supplemental work and problem-solving conversations distinguished the increasing high trajectory from the other two trajectories. After weekends with an increasing medium detachment trajectory, engagement was higher than after weekends with an increasing high trajectory. Sleep impairment and fatigue did not differ between different trajectories. While the sample was predominantly female and highly educated, limiting generalizability, the study provides valuable insights into the temporal dynamics of psychological detachment from work that occur over weekends, underscoring the need for further research with more diverse samples. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

Source: Journal of Occupational Health Psychology

DOI: 10.1037/ocp0000416

Authors: Verena C. Haun, Oliver Weigelt, Katja Siestrup, Jana Kühnel

Institutions: University of Würzburg, University of Groningen, FernUniversität in Hagen, Goethe University Frankfurt

Language: English

Topic: Workaholism, burnout, and well-being

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Decent work and economic growth, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

OpenAlex ID: W4416995258

FWCI:

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