Implicit theories about willpower as a moderator of the adverse effect of daily self-control demands on need for recovery

Recent research has demonstrated that peoples’ implicit theories about willpower (whether willpower is seen as a limited vs. nonlimited resource) influence the adverse effects of self-control demands (SCDs) on psychological strain. However, these findings have not yet been transferred to occupational settings where employees are increasingly facing high SCDs in their everyday work. Integrating recent findings on implicit theories about willpower and arguments brought up by the strength model of self-control, we propose that employees who believe that willpower is a limited resource have a stronger need for recovery after a demanding workday than employees who believe that willpower is a nonlimited resource. In a diary study covering ten working days (N = 71), we examine implicit theories about willpower as a moderator of the adverse day-specific effects of SCDs on need for recovery. Our results provide support for our hypothesis. In particular, on days with high levels of SCDs, believing in willpower as a limited resource enhances the need for recovery. We then discuss these findings in light of the strength model of self-control. Practical Relevance: Coping with self-control constitutes a major stressor at work and is related to high psychological strain. Therefore, identifying and understanding boundary conditions that can reduce the adverse consequences from exerting self-control at work is an important step towards creating healthy working environments.