Effects of Rest-Break Intention on Rest-Break Frequency and Work-Related Fatigue. (March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Blasche, Gerhard; Pasalic, Sanja; Bauböck, Verena-Maria; Haluza, Daniela; Schoberberger, Rudolf
• Other Names: Salas Eduardo guest-editor.; Marquez Jessica J. guest-editor.; Gore Brian F. guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Human factors. Volume 59:Number 2(2017)
• Page Start: 289
• Page End: 298
• Publication Date: 2017-03
• Subjects: rest breaks -- distress -- recovery from work -- intention -- individual differences; Human engineering -- Periodicals; 620.82
• DOI: 10.1177/0018720816671605
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0018-7208

Abstract

Objectives: The present paper presents findings from two studies addressing the effects of the employee's intention to have rest breaks on rest-break frequency and the change of well-being during a workday. Background: Rest breaks are effective in avoiding an accumulation of fatigue during work. However, little is known about individual differences in rest-break behavior. Method: In Study 1, the association between rest-break intention and the daily number of rest breaks recorded over 4 consecutive workdays was determined by generalized linear model in a sample of employees ( n = 111, 59% females). In Study 2, professional geriatric nurses ( n = 95 females) who worked over two consecutive 12-hour day shifts recorded well-being (fatigue, distress, effort motivation) at the beginning and the end of their shifts. The effect of rest-break intention on the change of well-being was determined by multilevel modeling. Results: Rest-break intention was positively associated with the frequency of rest breaks (Study 1) and reduced the increase of fatigue and distress over the workday (Study 2). Conclusion: The results indicate that individual differences account for the number of breaks an employee takes and, as a consequence, for variations in the work-related fatigue and distress. Application: Strengthening rest-break intentions may help to increase rest-break behavior to avoid the buildup of fatigue and distress over a workday.