A Naturalistic Multilevel Framework for Studying Transient and Chronic Effects of Psychosocial Work Stressors on Employee Health and Well-Being

Abstract

Research in work and organisational health psychology (WOHP) has traditionally employed methodologies targeted at examining between-individual associations of psychosocial stressors, psychological strain, health, and well-being. Recently, however, there has been a shift towards more ecologically valid assessments of these classes of constructs, i.e. assessing them as and when they occur, often involving multiple assessments of the individual within a day. Known as Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA), studies employing this methodology enable examinations of within-individual (daily) fluctuations in well-being as a result of work stressors and other environmental factors, as well as investigations of person-environment interactions. In addition, the study of employee health and well-being can benefit from the application of new and exciting technologies for measurement, such as smartphones and wearable devices for the tracking of physiological well-being indicators. Drawing on the Allostatic Load Model as an integrative framework, the current article aims to organise previous EMA research efforts in the field of WOHP, provide an overview of methodological tools that can be used in EMA research, and provide guidelines for analyzing EMA data. Finally, we conclude by discussing opportunities and challenges in the use of EMA in WOHP.