Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: We developed and tested a recovery‐activities spiral in which having a high‐quality lunch meal predicts social interactions via work engagement. We further advanced recovery research by investigating whether (1) emotional expressivity moderates the relationship between having a high‐quality lunch meal and work engagement and (2) extraversion moderates the association between work engagement and social interactions. We conducted two independent studies using a daily diary research design (experience sampling method) such that 166 female nurses were recruited and completed surveys for 10 days in Study 1 ( n ₁ = 1328 daily observations), and 149 male construction field workers participated in Study 2 and completed daily questionnaires for 10 workdays ( n ₂ = 1319 daily observations). Studies 1 and 2 consistently revealed that work engagement mediates the association between lunch meal quality and social interactions. Further, in Study 2, results showed that although extraversion moderated the recovery processes, emotional expressivity did not.
Source: Applied Psychology
DOI: 10.1111/apps.70070
Authors: Mansik Yun, Yingyi Chang
Institutions: Jeonbuk National University, Wayne State University
Language: English
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,840
OpenAlex ID: W7125522046