Is there a relationship between job characteristics and positive experiences under flow conditions?

The study examined the associations between psychosocial work characteristics and positive work experience under conditions which can produce flow (pWEF). Objective and Subjective work analyses were done for evaluating the jobs of 114 white collar workers. Hand held computers were used for hourly recording of positive activation, emotional valence, perceived control, and perceived cognitive tension. pWEF was operationalized by the conditions that (a) perceived control, (b) cognitive tension, and (c) positive activation and positive emotional valence were all above average. As a result, 15 people were found having pWEF (13%). The jobs of these people were significantly better designed than the jobs of people without pWEF. In detail, the objectively measured work characteristics, namely (a) degree of learning possibilities, (b) responsibility, and (c) cooperation/communication were better designed in jobs of people with pWEF. Additionally, people with pWEF evaluated the decision latitude of their jobs, their success in their profession, and their life satisfaction higher than people without pWEF In conclusion, the design of jobs seems to be linked to positive work experience under flow releasing conditions.