Research Article
How long do you benefit from vacation? A closer look at the fade-out of vacation effects†
Jana Kühnel,
Sabine Sonnentag,
Corresponding Author
Jana Kühnel
Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, PO Box 42, 78457 Konstanz, Germany.===Search for more papers by this authorSabine Sonnentag
Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
Search for more papers by this author
Jana Kühnel,
Sabine Sonnentag,
Corresponding Author
Jana Kühnel
Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, PO Box 42, 78457 Konstanz, Germany.===Search for more papers by this authorSabine Sonnentag
Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
Search for more papers by this author
†
This study is part of Jana Kühnel's dissertation. This study was partly funded by a research grant from the University of Konstanz (AFF 12/00). This grant is gratefully acknowledged. We would like to thank Carmen Binnewies, Ronald Bledow, Nicolas Feuerhahn, and anonymous reviewers for helpful comments on earlier versions of this paper.
Abstract
This study adds to research on the beneficial effects of vacation to employees' well-being and on the fade-out of these effects. One hundred and thirty-one teachers completed questionnaires one time before and three times after vacationing. Results indicated that teachers' work engagement significantly increased and teachers' burnout significantly decreased after vacation. However, these beneficial effects faded out within one month. Applying hierarchical regression analyses, we investigated the fade-out of vacation effects in detail. In line with the Job Demands-Resources model, job demands after vacation sped up the fade-out of beneficial effects. Additionally, leisure time relaxation experiences after vacation delayed the fade-out of beneficial effects. We conclude that reducing job demands and ensuring leisure time relaxation can prolong relief from vacation. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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