Theoretical refinement and empirical test of the physical activity-mediated Demand-Control (pamDC) model

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Jan A. Häusser
• Subject Area: Social Psychology, Industrial and Organisational Psychology
• Term: from 2016 to 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 280477745

In the project proposed here, we aim at investigating the causal effects of job demands and job control on physical activity and well-being. This grant proposal is a follow-up application of the project „Warum Arbeit krank macht: Fehlende körperliche Aktivität in der Freizeit als Erklärung für negative Effekte von Arbeit auf Gesundheit“ (sign removed). In Project (sign removed) we developed a new theoretical model, the physical-activity-mediated Demand Control (pamDC) model (Häusser & Mojzisch, 2017) and tested its central hypothesis, that leisure time physical activity acts as a mechanism that partially mediates the effects of job characteristics on well-being. We conducted five studies using complementary methodological approaches (two ambulatory assessment studies, two experimental work place simulations, and one longitudinal field study). In a nutshell, these studies provide robust evidence for the validity of the propositions of the pamDC model. However, they also revealed the need to further specify and differentiate the model with respect to four regards. First, regarding the postulated effects of job control, the previous studies have, so far, not provided any clear evicende yet. A distinction between control regarding structure versus control regarding content of work might be fruitful. Second, job demands also need further specification, particularly a stronger emphasis on self-control demands. Third, a better consideration of the temporal dynamics, in which the effects postulated by the pamDC model unfold is needed to account for the psychological mechanisms underlying the model paths. Fourth, a specification of different facets of well-being is important, which also comprises physiological indicators of well-being. These objectives will be pursued in one ecological momentary assessment study and three experimental work place simulations. Besides specifying and differentiating different types of job demands and job control, the ecological momentary assessment study provides a first-time examination of the pamDC model with respect to physiological indicators of well-being (heart rate variability, electro-dermal activity) in the field. Moreover, the in situ measurement will provide valuable insights in the temporal dynamics of the effects described by the model. The three work place simulations will further help differentiating different types of job demands and job control and will provide an experimental mediation test. The project proposed here will contribute to a theoretical refinement of the pamDC model, enhancing its predictive power, and thereby increasing its theoretical and practical relevance.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Co-Investigator: Professor Dr. Andreas Mojzisch