Sabbatical Leave: Who Gains and How Much

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-2010

Keywords

conservation of resources theory, respite, sabbatical, stress, well-being, individual differences

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.1037/a0020068

Abstract

A rigorous quasi-experiment tested the ameliorative effects of a sabbatical leave, a special case of respite from routine work. We hypothesized that (a) respite increases resource level and well-being and (b) individual differences and respite features moderate respite effects. A sample of 129 faculty members on sabbatical and 129 matched controls completed measures of resource gain, resource loss, and well-being before, during, and after the sabbatical. Among the sabbatees, resource loss declined and resource gain and well-being rose during the sabbatical. The comparison group showed no change. Moderation analysis revealed that those who reported higher respite self-efficacy and greater control, were more detached, had a more positive sabbatical experience, and spent their sabbatical outside their home country enjoyed more enhanced well-being than others.

Was this content written or created while at USF?

Yes

Citation / Publisher Attribution

Journal of Applied Psychology, v. 95, issue 5, p. 935-964

Share

COinS