Recovery Experiences for Work and Health Outcomes: A Meta-Analysis and Recovery-Engagement-Exhaustion Model

Recovery experiences (i.e., psychological detachment, relaxation, mastery, and control; Sonnentag Fritz (Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 12, 204–221, 2007)) are thought to enhance both work health outcomes, though the mechanisms not well understood. We propose test an integrated theoretical model in which engagement exhaustion fully mediate effects recovery on job performance complaints, respectively. Meta-analytic associations (k = 316; independent samples; N 99,329 participants) show that relaxation mastery positively predict outcomes (work engagement, performance, citizenship behavior, creativity, satisfaction) personal (positive affect, life satisfaction, well-being), whereas detachment reduces negative (negative exhaustion, work-family conflict), but does seem benefit creativity). Control exhibit negligible incremental effects. Path analysis largely supports specifying separate pathways by outcomes. Methodologically, diary post-respite studies tend smaller than do cross-sectional studies. Finally, within-person correlations with be same direction, corresponding between-person correlations. Implications for theory research discussed.