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A regulatory focus perspective on the relationship between forgone identity dwelling and job crafting

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: We investigated the relationships between employees' forgone identity dwelling (reflections on past work identities) and their subsequent emotional and behavioral outcomes. This study was grounded in social comparison theory and cognitive motivation frameworks. Using two-wave survey data ( N = 312), we empirically tested (a) how forgone identity dwelling predicts divergent emotional responses (i. e., anxiety versus hope), as moderated by psychological entitlement, and (b) how these emotions mediate distinct job-crafting behaviors (prevention-focused vs. promotion-focused). The results demonstrated that forgone identity dwelling activated two pathways: While anxiety was positively associated with prevention-focused job crafting, hope was a driver of promotion-focused job crafting. These findings highlight the dual role of identity reflection as a catalyst for individuals' variable-driven psychological and behavioral mechanisms during identity transitions.

Source: Social Behavior and Personality An International Journal

DOI: 10.2224/sbp.15108

Authors: Wenzhu Cai, Zijun Zhou

Institution: Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics

Language: English

Topic: Job Satisfaction and Organizational Behavior

Subfield: Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management

Field: Business, Management and Accounting

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W7117309404

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