Abstract
Most vacations seem to have strong, but rather short-lived effects on health and well-being (H&W). However, the recovery-potential
of relatively long vacations and the underlying processes have been disregarded. Therefore, our study focused on vacations
longer than 14 days and on the psychological processes associated with such a long respite from work. In the present study,
we investigated (1) how health and well-being (H&W) develop during and after a long summer vacation, (2) whether changes in
H&W during and after vacation relate to vacation activities and experiences and (3) whether changes in H&W during and after
vacation relate to sleep. Fifty-four employees reported their H&W before, three or four times during and five times after
vacation. Vacations lasted 23 days on average. Information on vacation experiences, work-related activities and sleep was
collected during vacation. Vacation activities were assessed immediately after vacation. H&W increased quickly during vacation,
peaked on the eighth vacation day and had rapidly returned to baseline level within the first week of work resumption. Vacation
duration and most vacation activities were only weakly associated with H&W changes during and after vacation. Engagement in
passive activities, savoring, pleasure derived from activities, relaxation, control and sleep showed strong relations with
improved H&W during and to a lesser degree after vacation. In conclusion, H&W improved during long summer vacations, but this
positive effect was short-lived. Vacation experiences, especially pleasure, relaxation, savoring and control, seem to be especially
important for the strength and persistence of vacation (after-) effects.
of relatively long vacations and the underlying processes have been disregarded. Therefore, our study focused on vacations
longer than 14 days and on the psychological processes associated with such a long respite from work. In the present study,
we investigated (1) how health and well-being (H&W) develop during and after a long summer vacation, (2) whether changes in
H&W during and after vacation relate to vacation activities and experiences and (3) whether changes in H&W during and after
vacation relate to sleep. Fifty-four employees reported their H&W before, three or four times during and five times after
vacation. Vacations lasted 23 days on average. Information on vacation experiences, work-related activities and sleep was
collected during vacation. Vacation activities were assessed immediately after vacation. H&W increased quickly during vacation,
peaked on the eighth vacation day and had rapidly returned to baseline level within the first week of work resumption. Vacation
duration and most vacation activities were only weakly associated with H&W changes during and after vacation. Engagement in
passive activities, savoring, pleasure derived from activities, relaxation, control and sleep showed strong relations with
improved H&W during and to a lesser degree after vacation. In conclusion, H&W improved during long summer vacations, but this
positive effect was short-lived. Vacation experiences, especially pleasure, relaxation, savoring and control, seem to be especially
important for the strength and persistence of vacation (after-) effects.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Research Paper
- Pages 1-21
- DOI 10.1007/s10902-012-9345-3
- Authors
- Jessica de Bloom, Department of Work and Organizational Psychology, Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9104, 6500 HE Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Sabine A. E. Geurts, Department of Work and Organizational Psychology, Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9104, 6500 HE Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Michiel A. J. Kompier, Department of Work and Organizational Psychology, Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9104, 6500 HE Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Journal Journal of Happiness Studies
- Online ISSN 1573-7780
- Print ISSN 1389-4978