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Original Article

Learning How to Manage the Boundaries Between Life Domains

Effects of a Boundary Management Intervention on Boundary Management, Recovery, and Well-Being

Published Online:July 15, 2016https://doi.org/10.1026/0932-4089/a000197

Abstract

Abstract. To evaluate the effects of a boundary management intervention on boundary management, recovery experiences, and well-being variables, we conducted a quasi-experimental study using an intervention lasting two consecutive days. The sample consisted of 64 employees of a large international German company; 37 in the experimental group and 27 in the control group. Boundary management, recovery experiences, and well-being outcomes were measured before the intervention and 2 weeks after the intervention. Analyses of covariance revealed an increase in boundary creation and detachment, but, contrary to the hypothesis, a decrease in control during leisure time after the intervention. No effects were found for the well-being variables.


Abgrenzung der Lebensbereiche lernen – Effekte einer Boundary Management Intervention auf Boundary Management, Erholung und Wohlbefinden

Zusammenfassung. Fortschritte in der Kommunikationstechnologie haben es möglich gemacht, jederzeit und überall zu arbeiten. Diese Entwicklungen verwischen die Grenzen zwischen den Lebensbereichen, was das Wohlbefinden und die Erholung beeinträchtigen kann. Wie können Unternehmen und Mitarbeiter die Vorteile der erhöhten Flexibilität nutzen ohne negative Konsequenzen zu erfahren? Die vorliegende Studie evaluiert die Auswirkungen einer Boundary Management Intervention, welche die Grenzziehung zwischen den Lebensbereichen fördert. Untersucht wurden die Auswirkungen auf Boundary Management, Erholung und Wohlbefinden. Dafür wurde ein zweitägiges Training entwickelt und basierend auf einem quasiexperimentellen Design in der Praxis durchgeführt. Die finale Stichprobe umfasste 64 Mitarbeiter eines großen, international tätigen deutschen Unternehmens: 37 Mitarbeiter befanden sich in der Experimentalgruppe und 27 Mitarbeiter in der Kontrollgruppe. Die Intervention beinhaltete zwei Module zur Reflexion möglicher Konflikte zwischen den Rollen in den Lebensbereichen, der aktuellen Situation und Präferenzen zur Abgrenzung von Arbeit und Privatleben sowie zwei Module zur Erarbeitung konkreter Boundary-Management-Strategien und Ziele. Die Variablen wurden direkt vor der Intervention und zwei Wochen nach der Intervention erfasst. Kovarianzanalysen zeigten in der Experimentalgruppe im Vergleich mit der Kontrollgruppe einen Anstieg im Boundary Management und im gedanklichen Abschalten von der Arbeit nach der Intervention. Konträr zu den Hypothesen wurde ein geringeres Maß an Kontrolle während der Freizeit festgestellt. Für die Wohlbefindensindikatoren konnten keine Effekte gefunden werden. Die Ergebnisse weisen darauf hin, dass es möglich ist. Boundary Management durch eine Intervention gezielt zu fördern und somit die Erholung von Mitarbeitern unterstützt werden kann.

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