Need for recovery, home–work interference and performance: Is lack of concentration the link?

This study examines the mechanisms through which experiences in the home domain influence work performance by bringing together the literature on recovery and the work–family interface. A longitudinal study among 123 employees from different organizations was conducted to investigate whether need for recovery and home–work interference (HWI) impeded concentration at work 1 month later, and whether concentration adversely affected in-role performance over time. Structural equation modeling analysis supported these hypotheses. Whereas need for recovery and HWI had negative, lagged effects on concentration, concentration had a positive lagged effect on in-role performance. Moreover, need for recovery and HWI were reciprocal and negatively related over time, suggesting that these two states may create a negative spiral in the home domain that could easily intrude into the work domain. These findings increase our insight in the processes leading to reduced performance at work, and suggest that organizations should facilitate opportunities for recovery.